Incorporation of polyaniline on graphene-related materials for wearable thermoelectric applications

•Polyaniline (PANi) and graphene composites are synthesized on the cotton fabric.•Ultraviolet Protection Factor of PANi-graphene shows the outstanding value of 447.•Seebeck coefficient of 85.5 µVK-1 value attributes for Thermoelectric applications.•Presence of Graphene on cotton fabric makes it withstand a high temperature of 280 °C.•PANi-graphene coated fabric reveal its good electrical conductivity performance. Polyaniline (PANi)/graphene composite on the cotton fabric is blended via a fusion of in-situ polymerization and solution process. PANi is initially grafted to graphene oxide via solution process where an associated reduction of GO transpired due to the hydrothermal condition and acquaintance of GO to KOH. The structural, morphological, elemental, thermal and electrical characteristics of these fabrics are studied by various physio-chemical techniques. The study is aimed to comprehend the participation of PANi as well as improved composite thereof under investigation. UV shielding ability of Nanostructured PANi/ graphene composite fabric is found to be enhanced to the value of 447 along with the thermal stability till 280 °C. It is also detected that the electrical conductivity of the PANi/graphene composite fabrics has improved. The thermo power value of the PANi/graphene composite fabric reaches 0.045 µVK−1. Hence, these materials are expected to be prominent for wearable thermoelectric devices.