Recent advances of electrodeposition of Bi₂Te₃and its thermoelectric applications in miniaturized power generation and cooling

Abstract

Thermoelectric (TE) technology enables direct conversion between thermal and electrical energies and thus has been regarded as an alternative for energy harvesting and refrigeration. Bismuth telluride (Bi 2 Te 3 ) is the most widely used TE material at room temperature due to its high figure of merit (∼1). Since the first publication on the electrodeposition of Bi 2 Te 3 films in 1994, a large number of publications has emerged in the last two decades, owing to its advantages such as simple and safe preparation, high deposition rate, convenient micromachining, good compatibility to semiconductor microfabrication techniques and so on. This article reviews the recent research progress in the electrodeposition of Bi 2 Te 3 and its application in TE devices. Additionally, an outlook towards the future development of this area has also been discussed.

Electrodeposited CuSbTe thin films with enhanced thermoelectric performance

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Permeable carbon fiber based thermoelectric film with exceptional EMI shielding performance and sensor capabilities

“…The chemical raw materials utilized in ED are typically oxides or salts, which are more economically viable. Additionally, ED can be conducted directly in ambient air, eliminating the need for high vacuum or elevated temperatures [44]. It also can be seamlessly integrated with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology, facilitating the fabrication of high-power-density TE generators or coolers.…”