Enhanced thermoelectric performance of n-type bismuth-telluride-based alloys via In alloying and hot deformation for mid-temperature power generation

Feng Li; Renshuang Zhai; Yehao Wu; Zhaojun Xu; Xinbing Zhao; Tiejun Zhu

Journal of Materiomics (Sep 2018)

Enhanced thermoelectric performance of n-type bismuth-telluride-based alloys via In alloying and hot deformation for mid-temperature power generation

Feng Li,
Renshuang Zhai,
Yehao Wu,
Zhaojun Xu,
Xinbing Zhao,
Tiejun Zhu

Affiliations

Feng Li: State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
Renshuang Zhai: State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
Yehao Wu: State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
Zhaojun Xu: State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
Xinbing Zhao: State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
Tiejun Zhu: Corresponding author.; State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 4, no. 3
pp. 208 – 214

Abstract

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Bismuth telluride-based alloys are the most widely used commercial thermoelectric (TE) material for room temperature refrigeration. Here, we successfully shift up the optimum figure of merit of n-type bismuth-telluride-based TE materials for mid-temperature power generation. SbI3 doping is used to regulate the carrier concentration and Indium alloying to increase the bandgap, suppressing the detrimental bipolar conduction in the mid-temperature range. The lattice thermal conductivity is significantly reduced due to the multiscale microstructures induced via hot deformation. As a result, a peak zT of ∼1.1 was attained at 625 K for Bi1.85In0.15Te2Se + 0.25 wt% SbI3 alloy after hot deformation, showing a great application prospect of this alloy in mid-temperature TE power generation. Keywords: Bismuth telluride, Thermoelectric materials, Hot deformation, Alloying

Published in Journal of Materiomics

ISSN: 2352-8478 (Print); 2352-8486 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-materiomics

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