Electrically conductive polymer composite and thermoelectric device using electrically conductive polymer material

A thermoelectric device comprising:

• (a) a heat resistant substrate;
• (b) a first thermoelectric material comprising an electrically conductive material comprising an electrically conductive polymer and at least one metal nanoparticle coated with a protective agent, said protective agent comprising a first part that has at least part of a molecular backbone of said electrically conductive polymer and a second part that interacts with said at least one metal nanoparticle, wherein the first thermoelectric material is disposed in a thin film on said substrate,
• (c) a second thermoelectric material comprising an n-type semiconductor or a metal, wherein the second thermoelectric material is disposed in a thin film or wire shape on said substrate, wherein the second thermoelectric material is adjacent to and spaced apart from said first thermoelectric material and wherein said first and second thermoelectric materials together constitute a unit thermocouple, and
• (d) an electrically conductive material that electrically connects an end part of said first thermoelectric material and an end part of said second thermoelectric material, thereby forming a circuit wherein said first thermoelectric material and said second thermoelectric material are alternately electrically connected in series and both ends of the circuit are opened.