Investigating the effect of electrolyte incorporation on the thermoelectric power factor of bismuth and antimony telluride alloys
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background Thermoelectric (TE) devices are capable of converting thermal energy into electrical power. The key parameters to assess the performance of a TE material are the power factor ( PF = S 2 σ , S and σ being the Seebeck coefficient and the electrical conductivity, respectively) and the thermal conductivity. In recent years, our group has reported significant PF improvements rising from the combination of a porous TE solid with an electrolyte. These results were achieved when Sb-doped SnO 2 was employed as the TE solid. However, due to the modest TE properties of Sb:SnO 2 , not very high PF values were reached. Here, we evaluate if any PF improvements can be reached when electrolytes combine with porous bismuth and antimony telluride alloys, the best-performing TE materials at room temperature. Methods Both n-type Bi 2 Te 3 and p-type Sb 2 Te 3 porous materials were prepared and then combined with different types of electrolytes. Their synthesis was performed by microwave-assisted hydrothermal route, followed by cold compaction of fabricated nanoparticles. Results Unlike the previous successful results with Sb:SnO 2 , no significant PF improvements were reached in any of the electrolytes tested. This was attributed to the larger carrier concentration and particle dimensions of the bismuth and antimony telluride alloys compared with Sb:SnO 2 . Conclusions Thus, the strategy cannot be extended to bismuth and antimony telluride alloys, and very likely will not work with materials with large carrier concentration.
Source: Open Research Europe
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $841
Awards: G5845221954, G7525360959
OpenAlex ID: W4414246279