Power generation from nanostructured PbTe-based thermoelectrics: comprehensive development from materials to modules

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Energy & Environmental Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/c5ee02979a· OSTI ID:1352635

Hu, Xiaokai; Jood, Priyanka; Ohta, Michihiro; Kunii, Masaru; Nagase, Kazuo; Nishiate, Hirotaka; Kanatzidis, Mercouri G.; Yamamoto, Atsushi

In this work, we demonstrate the use of high performance nanostructured PbTe-based materials in high conversion efficiency thermoelectric modules. We fabricated the samples of PbTe-2% MgTe doped with 4% Na and PbTe doped with 0.2% PbI2 with high thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) and sintered them with Co-Fe diffusion barriers for use as p- and n-type thermoelectric legs, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy of the PbTe legs reveals two shapes of nanostructures, disk-like and spherical. The reduction in lattice thermal conductivity through nanostructuring gives a ZT of similar to 1.8 at 810 K for p-type PbTe and similar to 1.4 at 750 K for n-type PbTe. Nanostructured PbTe-based module and segmented-leg module using Bi2Te3 and nanostructured PbTe were fabricated and tested with hot-side temperatures up to 873 K in a vacuum. The maximum conversion efficiency of similar to 8.8% for a temperature difference (Delta T) of 570 K and B11% for a Delta T of 590 K have been demonstrated in the nanostructured PbTe-based module and segmented Bi2Te3/nanostructured PbTe module, respectively. Three-dimensional finite-element simulations predict that the maximum conversion efficiency of the nanostructured PbTe-based module and segmented Bi2Te3/nanostructured PbTe module reaches 12.2% for a Delta T of 570 K and 15.6% for a Delta T of 590 K respectively, which could be achieved if the electrical and thermal contact between the nanostructured PbTe legs and Cu interconnecting electrodes is further improved.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science - Office of Basic Energy Sciences - Materials Sciences and Engineering Division; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 1352635
• Journal Information: Energy & Environmental Science, Vol. 9, Issue 2; ISSN 1754-5692
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English