In this study, we report the fabrication of n-type flexible thermoelectric fabrics using layered Bi2Se3 nanoplate/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composites as the thermoelectric material. These composites exhibit room temperature Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity values of -80 μV K(-1) and 5100 S m(-1), respectively, resulting in a power factor approaching 30 μW m(-1)K(-2). The temperature-dependent thermoelectric properties reveal that the composites exhibit metallic-like electrical conductivity, whereas the thermoelectric power is characterized by a heterogeneous model. These composites have the potential to be used in atypical applications for thermoelectrics, where lightweight and flexible materials would be beneficial. Indeed, bending tests revealed excellent durability of the thermoelectric fabrics. We anticipate that this work may guide the way for fabricating high performance thermoelectric fabrics based on layered V-VI nanoplates.
Keywords: bismuth selenide; flexible; layered materials; thermoelectric; topological insulator.