Work

Strong and efficient bismuth telluride-based thermoelectrics for Peltier microcoolers

Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Thermoelectric Peltier coolers (PCs) are being increasingly used as temperature stabilizers for optoelectronic devices. Increasing integration drives PC miniaturization, requiring thermoelectric materials with good strength. We demonstrate a simultaneous gain of thermoelectric and mechanical performance in (Bi, Sb)2Te3, and successfully fabricate micro PCs (2 × 2 mm2 cross-section) that show excellent maximum cooling temperature difference of 89.3 K with a hot-side temperature of 348 K. A multi-step process involving annealing, hot-forging and composition design, is developed to modify the atomic defects and nano- and microstructures. The peak ZT is improved to ∼1.50 at 348 K, and the flexural and compressive strengths are significantly enhanced to ∼140 MPa and ∼224 MPa, respectively. These achievements hold great potential for advancing solid-state refrigeration technology in small spaces.
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,100
OpenAlex ID: W4402575238
FWCI: 4.022
Cites: 55
Cited by: 45
Related to: 10