Thermoelectric and Seebeck coefficients of granular metals.
In this work we present a detailed study and derivation of the thermopower and thermoelectric coefficient of nanogranular metals at large tunneling conductance between the grains, g{sub T} >> 1. An important criterion for the performance of a thermoelectric device is the thermodynamic figure of merit which is derived using the kinetic coefficients of granular metals. All results are valid at intermediate temperatures, E{sub c} >> T/g{sub T} > {delta}, where {delta} is the mean energy-level spacing for a single grain and E{sub c} is its charging energy. We show that the electron-electron interaction leads to an increase in the thermopower with decreasing grain size and discuss our results in light of future generation thermoelectric materials for low-temperature applications. The behavior of the figure of merit depending on system parameters such as grain size, tunneling conductance, and temperature is presented.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 958545
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/MSD/JA-63939; TRN: US201001%%526
- Journal Information:
- Phys. Rev. B, Vol. 79, Issue 2009; ISSN 1098-0121
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- ENGLISH
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