Electrical properties of mesoporous TiO₂ nanocomposite thin films incorporated with Au nanoparticles by simple one-pot synthesis

Low thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity, and high Seebeck coefficient are required for thermoelectric materials. To independently control electrical and thermal conductivity, Au nanoparticles were incorporated into mesoporous TiO₂ nanocomposite thin films. With increase of Au nanoparticle concentration and annealing time, ordered pore structure gradually collapsed. As porosity and pore structure changed, the electrical resistivity decreased from 142.9 to 41.6 Ω cm. In this work, Au nanoparticle concentration and annealing conditions were investigated to optimize the thermoelectric properties.