Highly soluble poly(2,7-carbazolenevinylene) for thermoelectrical applications: From theory to experiment

A new highly soluble derivative of poly(2,7-carbazolenevinylene) was synthesized, bearing alkyl side chains in the 3,6 positions. The polymer synthesized was characterized by optical, electrochemical and electrical measurements. The stability towards chemical doping at room temperature is investigated. The Seebeck coefficients at room temperature are measured for different doping levels and compared to poly(3-decylthiophene). At high doping level, the Seebeck coefficient is around 200-250 μV/K, which is one order of magnitude higher than poly(3-decylthiophene). At low doping level, the Seebeck coefficient reaches 600 μV/K. The carbazolenevinylene polymer is not very conductive, the highest conductivity obtained being 5 × 10−3 S/cm. The electronic band structure and the Seebeck coefficients at room temperature are calculated and compared to experimental results.