Electrochemical Synthesis of Hybrid Bismuth Telluride Films with Graphene and  Carbon Nanofibers for Enhanced Thermoelectric and Mechanical Performance

K.F. Samat; M.A.I.C. Azman; A.H.A. Rasyed; M.A. Alias; N.A.L.H.A. Rashid; M.H. Jali; N.V. Toan; T. Ono

doi:10.14233/ajchem.2025.34650

Issue

Vol. 37 No. 11 (2025): Vol 37 Issue 11, 2025

Issue Published : 27 October 2025

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Hybrid Bismuth Telluride Films with Graphene and Carbon Nanofibers for Enhanced Thermoelectric and Mechanical Performance

https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2025.34650

K.F. Samat

Faculty of Industrial and Manufacturing Technology and Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8992-6069

M.A.I.C. Azman

Faculty of Industrial and Manufacturing Technology and Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia

https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2215-1535

A.H.A. Rasyed

Faculty of Industrial and Manufacturing Technology and Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1156-2374

M.A. Alias

Faculty of Industrial and Manufacturing Technology and Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4430-990X

N.A.L.H.A. Rashid

Faculty of Industrial and Manufacturing Technology and Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1815-8995

M.H. Jali

Faculty of Electrical Technology and Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2894-7285

N.V. Toan

Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku Sendai, Japan; FPT University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8946-8299

T. Ono

Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku Sendai, Japan

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0927-9066

Corresponding Author(s) : K.F. Samat

khairul.fadzli@utem.edu.my

Asian Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 37 No. 11 (2025): Vol 37 Issue 11, 2025
Article Published : 27 October 2025

Abstract

Thermoelectric materials offer a sustainable solution for converting waste heat into electricity, with bismuth telluride (Bi₂Te₃) being highly effective at room temperature. However, enhancing its electronic and mechanical properties in film form remains challenging. This study investigates the improvement of Bi₂Te₃ films through the inclusion of graphene and carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The nanocomposite films were synthesized via a three-electrode electrochemical deposition technique. Electrolytes were prepared using 0.75 g/L graphene nanoparticles and 1 g/L CNFs, subjected to rigorous stirring and intermittent sonication to ensure proper dispersion and suspension. Cyclic voltammetry guided deposition voltage selection. Graphene integration resulted in a 200% increase in electrical conductivity due to its superior conductive nature. CNFs enhanced mechanical strength, doubling hardness and increasing Young’s modulus by 34%, attributed to the Hall-Petch effect and CNF reinforcement. This study highlights the potential of graphene and CNF integration to improve Bi₂Te₃-based thermoelectric materials for a range of waste heat recovery applications.

Keywords

Electrodeposition Bismuth telluride Thermoelectric Nanocomposite film

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Samat, K.; Azman, M.; Rasyed, A.; Alias, M.; Rashid, N.; Jali, M.; Toan, N.; Ono, T. Electrochemical Synthesis of Hybrid Bismuth Telluride Films With Graphene and Carbon Nanofibers for Enhanced Thermoelectric and Mechanical Performance. ajc 2025, 37, 2826-2830.

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