Copper-Phenylacetylide Nanobelt/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites: Mechanochromic Luminescence Phenomenon and Thermoelectric Performance

We report flexible films of organic–inorganic thermoelectric (TE) composites based on organometallic coordination compound [copper-phenylacetylide (PhC2Cu)] nanobelts and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Interestingly, an unusual mechanochromic luminescence phenomenon from bright green to dark red is clearly observed after grinding the PhC2Cu crystalline nanobelts. The PhC2Cu/SWCNT composites display high mechanical flexibility and excellent TE performance. The maximum power factor at room temperature can reach as high as 200.2 ± 10.9 μW m–1 K–2. The present study opens an avenue to fabricate novel organic–inorganic TE composite materials using organometallic coordination compounds such as PhC2Cu.