Low contact resistivity and excellent thermal stability of p‐type YbMg0.8Zn1.2Sb2/Fe‐Sb junction for thermoelectric applications

Sun, Yu; Yin, Li; Zhang, Zongwei; He, Huolun; Chen, Chen; Li, Shan; Chen, Lingjin; Jia, Jucai; Wang, Xinyu; Sui, Jiehe; Liu, Xingjun; Mao, Jun; Cao, Feng; Zhang, Qian

doi:10.1016/j.actamat.2022.118066

Cited by 14 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…The presence of the reaction is beneficial for strong interfacial bonding [ 34 ]. Considering the similar composition of the reaction layer in both n- and p-type junctions, the greater thickness in the latter is due to the weaker bonding of the Zn–Sb bonds leading to more Sb being involved in the reaction during sintering [ 35 ]. As shown in Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-efficiency and reliable same-parent thermoelectric modules using Mg3Sb2-based compounds

Jiang

Zhang

et al. 2023

National Science Review

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Thermoelectric modules can convert waste heat directly into useful electricity, providing a clean and sustainable way to use fossil energy more efficiently. Mg3Sb2-based alloys have recently attracted considerable interest from the thermoelectric community due to their nontoxic nature, abundance of constituent elements, and excellent mechanical and thermoelectric properties. However, robust modules based on Mg3Sb2 have progressed less rapidly. Here, we develop multiple-pair thermoelectric modules consisting of both n-type and p-type Mg3Sb2-based alloys. Thermoelectric legs based on the same parent fit in each other in terms of thermomechanical properties, facilitating module fabrication and ensuring low thermal stress. By adopting a suitable diffusion barrier layer and developing a new joining technique, an integrated all Mg3Sb2-based module demonstrates a high efficiency of 7.5% at a temperature difference of 380 K, exceeding the state-of-the-art same-parent thermoelectric modules. Moreover, the efficiency remains stable during 150 thermal cycling shocks (∼225 h), demonstrating excellent module reliability.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-efficiency and reliable same-parent thermoelectric modules using Mg3Sb2-based compounds

Jiang

Zhang

et al. 2023

National Science Review

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“…[36,45] This deteriorates the carrier concentration and mobility and consequently impacts the TE properties. [18,37] Regarding the reduced saturated vapor pressure of protective coating, the spontaneous process of the Mg evaporation could be understood by the relationship, i.e., ln G nRT P P e ∆ = . As the surrounding pressure (P) is less than the saturated vapor pressure (P e ), i.e., ΔG < 0, the volatilization can proceed spontaneously.…”

Section: Suppression Of Mg Evaporation Of Mg 3 Sb 15 Bi 05 By the Mg-...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, it is difficult to balance the high σ s and low ρ c values of a single-element TEiM. Some alloying TEiM layers for n-type Mg 3 Sb 1-x Bi x TEcM legs, including 304 stainless steel (304SS), [36] Mg 2 Cu, [10] Fe 90 Sb 10 , [37] and Mg 3.4 Sb 3 Ni [38] were subsequently reported to show lower ρ c values. Very recently, Song et al reported that the NiFe/Mg 3 Bi 1.5 Sb 0.5 contact exhibits a highly stable ρ c of 13 µΩ cm 2 after aging for over 2100 h. [39] The authors have suggested an alloying approach to design the TEiM rather than using available alloys, which has already been verified as an effective technique route with some necessary characteristics, including high bonding propensity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) matching, diffusion passivation, and dopant inactivation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interface and Surface Engineering Realized High Efficiency of 13% and Improved Thermal Stability in Mg₃Sb_1.5Bi_0.5‐Based Thermoelectric Generation Devices

Lin

Han

et al. 2022

Advanced Energy Materials

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Realizing high‐temperature thermal stability in thermoelectric (TE) generators is a critical challenge. In this study, a synergistic interface and surface optimization strategy is implemented to enhance Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5 TE generator performance by employing FeCrTiMnMg thermoelectric interface materials and the MgMn‐based alloy protective coating. The competitive output power density (ω) of 1.7 W cm−2 and a conversion efficiency (η) of 13% for the single‐leg device are achieved at hot‐side temperature (Th) and cold‐side temperature (Tc) of 500 and 5 °C, respectively. An ω of 0.8 W cm−2 and η of 6% for the two‐couple TE devices with p‐type commercial Bi2Te3 are also realized, values that are competitive with the commercial Bi2Te3 device. Additionally, the single‐leg device shows a high stable η for over 100 h when the Th and Tc are 400 and 5 °C, respectively, with an change rate (Δηmax/ηmax,o) of <3%. In situ transmission electron microscopy analysis further reveals that the high stability results from the effectively sluggish interdiffusion and reduced Mg evaporation that decrease the chemical potential gradient, reduce the saturated vapor pressure, and increase the diffusion activation energy barrier. This study provides a general technique route for boosting the high‐temperature thermal stability of TE generator.

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“…[55,56] Therefore, the performance of the module would be further improved if the contact resistance could be lowered by using the newly developed contact materials for Mg 3 Sb 2 -based compounds. [26,32,57,58] To verify the reliability of the measured conversion efficiency, an uncertainty analysis of heat flow measurement was conducted. As shown in Figure S9a (Supporting Information), the temperature drops in the tin bar (ΔT tin ) increase linearly with increasing T h .…”

Section: Conversion Efficiency Of the Mgmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of p‐Type Mg₃Sb₂ for Reliable and Low‐Cost all‐Mg₃Sb₂‐Based Thermoelectric Low‐Grade Heat Recovery

Liang

Song

et al. 2022

Adv Funct Materials

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Bi2Te3‐based devices have long dominated the commercial market for thermoelectric cooling applications, but their narrow operating temperature range and high cost have limited their possible applications for conversion of low‐grade heat into electric power. The recently developed n‐type Mg3Sb2‐based compounds exhibit excellent transport properties across a wide temperature range, have low material costs, and are nontoxic, so it would be possible to substitute the conventional Bi2Te3 module with a reliable and low‐cost all‐Mg3Sb2‐based thermoelectric device if a good p‐type Mg3Sb2 material can be obtained to match its n‐type counterpart. In this study, by comprehensively regulating the carrier concentration, carrier mobility, and lattice thermal conductivity, the thermoelectric performance of p‐type Mg3Sb2 is significantly improved through Na and Yb doping in Mg1.8Zn1.2Sb2. Moreover, p‐ and n‐type Mg3Sb2 are similar in terms of their coefficients of thermal expansion and their good performance stability, thus allowing the construction of a reliable all‐Mg3Sb2‐based unicouple. The decent conversion efficiency (≈5.5% at the hot‐side temperature of 573 K), good performance stability, and low cost of this unicouple effectively promote the practical application of Mg3Sb2‐based thermoelectric generators for low‐grade heat recovery.

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Low contact resistivity and excellent thermal stability of p‐type YbMg0.8Zn1.2Sb2/Fe‐Sb junction for thermoelectric applications

Cited by 14 publications

References 37 publications

High-efficiency and reliable same-parent thermoelectric modules using Mg3Sb2-based compounds

High-efficiency and reliable same-parent thermoelectric modules using Mg3Sb2-based compounds

Interface and Surface Engineering Realized High Efficiency of 13% and Improved Thermal Stability in Mg₃Sb_1.5Bi_0.5‐Based Thermoelectric Generation Devices

Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of p‐Type Mg₃Sb₂ for Reliable and Low‐Cost all‐Mg₃Sb₂‐Based Thermoelectric Low‐Grade Heat Recovery

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Low contact resistivity and excellent thermal stability of p‐type YbMg0.8Zn1.2Sb2/Fe‐Sb junction for thermoelectric applications

Cited by 14 publications

References 37 publications

High-efficiency and reliable same-parent thermoelectric modules using Mg3Sb2-based compounds

High-efficiency and reliable same-parent thermoelectric modules using Mg3Sb2-based compounds

Interface and Surface Engineering Realized High Efficiency of 13% and Improved Thermal Stability in Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5‐Based Thermoelectric Generation Devices

Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of p‐Type Mg3Sb2 for Reliable and Low‐Cost all‐Mg3Sb2‐Based Thermoelectric Low‐Grade Heat Recovery

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Interface and Surface Engineering Realized High Efficiency of 13% and Improved Thermal Stability in Mg₃Sb_1.5Bi_0.5‐Based Thermoelectric Generation Devices

Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of p‐Type Mg₃Sb₂ for Reliable and Low‐Cost all‐Mg₃Sb₂‐Based Thermoelectric Low‐Grade Heat Recovery