Abstract
We propose the methodology for thermoelectric power factor enhancement using nanoscale thermal management. The thermally managed composite is composed of a high electrical conductivity (σ) material with high thermal conductivity (κ), and a high Seebeck coefficient (S) material with lowered κ by nanostructuring, where a large temperature difference is applied to high-S materials. This brings out two better properties (high S and high σ) from the two different materials. We experimentally demonstrate that S2σ is enhanced in SiGe-Au composites compared with SiGe materials, where SiGe is used as a high-S material with low κ in Si-based materials and Au is used as a high-σ material with high κ. Therein, the nanostructured Ge-rich domains including Au with Ge nanocrystals form and work as a high-S and ultra-low-κ material. This SiGe-Au composite achieves the highest S2σ value (22 μW cm-1 K-2) among reported SiGe-related bulk materials (Ge fraction: 10-80%) at room temperature. This methodology would be expected as a guideline for thermoelectric performance enhancement.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1235-1241 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | ACS Applied Energy Materials |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2020 Jan 27 |
Keywords
- SiGe
- composite
- nanostructure
- power factor
- thermal management
- thermoelectric
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Chemistry
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering