Mg{sub 2}Si nanocomposite converted from diatomaceous earth as a potential thermoelectric nanomaterial
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706 (United States)
With recent literature demonstrating enhancement of the thermoelectric performance of nanoscale materials relative to their corresponding bulk materials, methods to synthesize low-dimensional nanomaterials in large scale at low cost are needed. We demonstrate a method for preparing nanostructured dimagnesium silicide (Mg{sub 2}Si) thermoelectric materials that are nanocomposites with MgO by the reduction of diatomaceous earth (diatoms) using a gas-displacement solid state reaction with magnesium vapor. The resulting semiconducting Mg{sub 2}Si preserves the general morphology of the original diatoms and their nanosized grains at least down to the size of 30 nm. This reaction represents a possible method for the production of large quantities of low-cost nanoscale thermoelectric materials with potential for enhanced thermoelectric performance. - Graphical abstract: A nanostructured Mg{sub 2}Si and MgO nanocomposite thermoelectric material is synthesized in the Mg gas-displacement solid state reduction of SiO{sub 2} from diatomaceous earth. The resulting semiconducting Mg{sub 2}Si nanostructures preserve the original diatom morphology, with nanosized grains at least down to the size of 30 nm.
- OSTI ID:
- 21128345
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 181, Issue 7; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2008.04.020; PII: S0022-4596(08)00211-9; Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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