Thermal sensor based on a polymer nanofilm

Abstract

In this work, we have developed a thermal sensor based on poly(3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanofilms as thermoelectric material. The PEDOT nanofilms have been synthesized by the electrochemical polymerization method. The thicknesses of the films were around 120 nm. The doping level of PEDOT was controlled by chemical reduction using hydrazine. The achieved Seebeck coeficient is 40 uV/K. A PEDOT nanofilm was integrated into an electronic circuit that amplifies the voltage originated from the Seebeck effect. The temperature increment produced by a fingerprint touching the film is enough to switch on a light emitting diode.