IV‐VI and V‐VI Materials for Thermoelectric Nanostructures

Abstract

There is growing evidence for an enhancement of the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT in low dimensional structures. Thermoelectric nanostructures based on such materials could have a series of applications in sensors, coolers and low power energy conversion systems. Basic thermoelectric properties of Pb 1-x Sr x (Se,Te) epitaxial films grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on BaF 2 (111) substrates are presented. The structural quality is studied by high resolution X-ray diffraction (XRD). For multi quantum well (MQW) films XRD and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis show high structural perfection. Measurements of transport properties indicate an enhancement of the 2D-power factor σS 2 . High quality Bi 2 Te 3 -layers can also be prepared on BaF 2 (111) substrates using MBE. Multiple stacks of epitaxial IV-VI / V-VI layers are made. Growth characteristics were analyzed by RHEED, AFM, SEM and SIMS.

Power generation of a thermoelectric generator with phase change materials

“…With regard to the device structure, it is important to optimize the number of thermocouples in a given area as well as the dimensions of the thermoelectric components [3][4][5][6]. Although there have been many studies on thermoelectric materials and device design, the energy conversion efficiency of TEGs is limited [7]. Much of the heat energy emitted by a heat source is therefore dissipated because TEGs cannot efficiently convert the heat energy to electrical energy.…”