Power factor enhancement in solution-processed organic n-type thermoelectrics through molecular design.

A new class of high-performance n-type organic thermoelectric materials, self-doping perylene diimide derivatives with modified side chains, is reported. These materials achieve the highest n-type thermoelectric performance of solution-processed organic materials reported to date, with power factors as high as 1.4 mu W/mK(2). These results demonstrate that molecular design is a promising strategy for enhancing organic thermoelectric performance.