Flexible n-type thermoelectric composite films with enhanced performance through interface engineering and post-treatment
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Flexible thermoelectric (TE) materials, which are devices that convert thermal gradients to electrical energy, have attracted interest for practical energy-harvesting/recovery applications. However, as compared with p-type materials, the progress on the development of n-type TE flexible materials has been slow due to difficulties involved in n-type doping techniques. This study used high mobility carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to a uniformly mixed hybrid-composite, resulting in an enhanced power factor by increasing electrical conductivity. The energy filtering effect and stoichiometric composition of the material used, bismuth telluride (Bi 2 Te 3 ) correlated to a significant enhancement in TE performance, with a power factor of 225.9 μ W m −1 K −2 at room temperature: a factor of 65 higher than as-fabricated composite film. This paper describes a simplified synthesis for the preparation of the composite film that eliminates time-intensive and cost-prohibitive processing, traditionally seen during extrusion and dicing inorganic manufacturing. The resulting post-annealed composite film consisting of Bi 2 Te 3 nanowire and CNTs demonstrate a promising candidate for material that can be used for an n-type TE device that has improved energy conversion efficiency.
Source: Nanotechnology
Institutions: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Hyundai Motors (South Korea)
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funder: National Science Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W2800440818