Curved aromatic corannulene as an efficient enhancer for n-type thermoelectric single-walled carbon nanotubes

Enhancement of the thermoelectric properties of n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as a future thermopower source is strongly desired. Herein, we report a remarkable simultaneous enhancement of the thermoelectric properties by secondary molecular doping with corannulene. Compared with the effect of pyrene as a planar reference substance on the thermoelectric properties and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum, we demonstrate efficient suppression of chemical oxidation of the SWCNT backbone with corannulene upon n-type doping and of deterioration of the thermoelectric properties associated with its radical scavenging activity. The thermoelectric properties of n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes were simultaneously enhanced by secondary molecular doping with corannulene.