Clathrate-I-based materials are promising for waste-heat recovering applications via thermoelectric (TE) effects. However, the lack of highly efficient p-type materials hampers the development of clathrate-based TE devices. In this work, the synthesis of the p-type semiconductor Ba7.8Au5.33Ge40.67 with clathrate-I structure is up-scaled by steel-quenching and spark plasma sintering treatment at 1073 K. A thermoelectric figure of merit ZT ≈ 0.9 at 670 K is reproducibly obtained, and 40 chemically homogeneous module legs of 5 × 5 × 7 mm3 are fabricated. By using a carbon layer as a diffusion barrier, electrical contacts are sustainable at elevated application temperatures. Eight couples with the clathrate-I compounds Ba7.8Au5.33Ge40.67 as p-type and Ba8Ga16Ge30 as n-type materials are integrated into a TE module with an output power of 0.2 W achieved under a temperature difference ΔT = 380 K (T1 = 673 K and T2 = 293 K). The thermoelectric performance of Ba7.8Au5.33Ge40.67 demonstrates the potential of type-I clathrates for waste heat recycling.
Characteristics and elements of a new type structure of thermoelectric modules for electric power generation with output power of 10 W have been presented. It is proposed a parametric series of the indicated modules with rated output voltage of 0.2; 0.4; 0.8; 1.6; 3.2 and 6.4 V.Modules are designed for the use in thermoelectric generators of merent purposes along with heat sources use that provide operation temperature level of the module warm side of 250-300 "C.Optimization methods of known thermoelectric materials for the indicated modules conversion efficiency at a level of more than 6% have been examined.The study results of commutations and anti-diffusion layers new types effect on the modules lifetime and resistance to climatic and temperature action have been given.It is presented the reliability investigation results of the module as a whole.It is presented examples of modules with heat exchangers arrangement into functional blocks that provide a user necessary overall dimensions and electric parameters for current and voltage. Variants of specific applications of modules and blocks in thermoelectric generators with catalflc heat sources have been examined.
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