Enhancement of the photothermoelectric effect through synergistic modulation of multiple parameters

Abstract

The performance of photothermoelectric materials is severely limited by various intrinsic parameters that are difficult to simultaneously modulate, thereby hindering their applications in the fields of photodetectors, solar cells, thermoelectric therapy and so on. In this study, we have prepared suspended films composed of carbon nanotube (CNT) and molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS2 QDs), which demonstrate a remarkable maximum photothermal conversion efficiency of 2201 K·mm2·W−1. This outstanding performance is attributed to the formation of a heterojunction between CNT and MoS2 QDs. Furthermore, the light absorption, temperature coefficient of resistance, and Seebeck coefficient of this suspended film are simultaneously modulated in a direction conducive to enhancing the photothermoelectric effect. Consequently, we have fabricated CNT-CNT/MoS2 QDs p-n junction photodetectors to showcase the improved photoresponse performance. This study presents an innovative approach for modulating multiple intrinsic parameters of photothermoelectric materials, which offers valuable insights for enhancing the performance of corresponding photothermoelectric devices.

Keywords

• Photothermoelectric effect
• CNT films
• MoS2 QDs
• Photothermal conversion efficiency
• Photodetectors