Synergetic Enhancement of the Power Factor and Suppression of Lattice Thermal Conductivity via Electronic Structure Modification and Nanostructuring on a Ni- and B-Codoped <i>p</i>-Type Si–Ge Alloy for Thermoelectric Application

Omprakash, Muthusamy; Singh, Saurabh; Hirata, Keisuke; Kuga, Kentaro; Harish, S.; Shimomura, Masaru; Adachi, Masahiro; Yamamoto, Yoshiyuki; Matsunami, Masaharu; Takeuchi, Tsunehiro

doi:10.1021/acsaelm.1c01075

Cited by 20 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…For the estimation of thermal conductivity (κ), thermal diffusivity was determined by means of laser flash analysis (Netzsch LFA 457). The temperature-dependent electrical transport properties ( S and ρ) for all of the materials were performed using a homemade setup. ,− …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Performance of Monolithic Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Modules for Energy Harvesting via Co-optimization of Experiment and Simulation

Lai

Singh

Peng

et al. 2022

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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With the development of application of wireless sensor nodes (WSNs), the need for energy harvesting is rapidly increasing. In this study, we designed and fabricated a robust monolithic thermoelectric generator (TEG) using a simple, low-energy, and low-cost device fabrication process. Our monolithic device consists of Ag2S0.2Se0.8 and Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 as n-type and p-type legs, respectively, while the empty space between the legs was filled with highly dense, flexible, and thin Ag2S that serves as both an insulating spacer and a shock absorber, which potentially augments the robustness of preventing from damage from an external mechanical force. From the optimization of the device structure via finite element method (FEM) simulations, a three-pair device with dimensions of 12 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm was found to have a theoretical maximum power density of 8.2 mW cm–2 at a ΔT of 50 K. For considering this inevitable contact resistance, experimental measurement and FEM simulation were combined for quantifying the junction resistance; a power density of 2.1 mW cm–2 was established with the consideration of the contact resistance at the p–n junctions. Using these optimized structural parameters, a device was fabricated and was found to have a maximum power density of 2.02 mW cm–2 at a ΔT of 50 K, which is in good agreement with our simulations. The results from our monolithic TEG show that despite the simple, low-energy, and low-cost device fabrication process, the power generation is still comparable to other reported TEGs. It is worth mentioning that our design could be extended to other chalcogenide materials of appropriate temperature regions and/or better zT. Besides, the quantification of contact resistance also exhibited reference value for the enhancement of thermoelectric conversion application. These results provide a convenient, economic, and efficient strategy for waste energy harvesting close to room temperature, which can broaden the applications of waste heat harvesting.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Performance of Monolithic Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Modules for Energy Harvesting via Co-optimization of Experiment and Simulation

Lai

Singh

Peng

et al. 2022

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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“…10 Fe 0 . 01 ) at 673 K. As a result of this combination of enhancements, the authors claim a maximum ZT of 1.88 at 873 K. In another study, Muthusamy et al [82] prepared Si 0 . 65x Ge 0 .…”

Section: Seebeck Coefficientmentioning

confidence: 94%

Silicon–Germanium: The Legacy Lives On

Cook¹

2022

Energies

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Alloy systems comprised of silicon with germanium, lead with tellurium, and bismuth with antimony have constituted a majority of thermoelectric applications during the last half-century. These legacy materials are primarily covalently bonded with a maximum ZT near one. Silicon–germanium alloys have provided the thermal to electrical conversion for many of NASA’s radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) configurations and for nearly all of its deep space and outer planetary flights, such as Pioneer I and II, Voyager I and 11, Ulysses, Galileo, and Cassini. The remarkable success of these materials and their respective devices is evidenced by the fact that there has never been a failure of the RTG systems even after over 1 billion cumulative mission-hours. The history of this alloy system as a thermoelectric conversion material spans over six decades and research to further improve its performance continues to this day. Si-Ge alloys have long been a mainstay of thermoelectric research because of a fortuitous combination of a sufficiently high melting temperature, reasonable energy band gap, high solubility for both n- and p-type dopants, and the fact that this alloy system exhibits complete miscibility in the solid state, which enable tuning of both electrical and thermal properties. This article reviews the history of silicon–germanium as a thermoelectric material and its use in NASA’s RTG programs. Since the device technology is also a critical operational consideration, a brief review of some of the unique challenges imposed by the use in an RTG is also discussed.

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“…B dosage is considered for further reducing e  on the basis of the optimum batch (1 wt% of SiO 2 and 1 at% of B) due to that B acceptor dominates the carrier concentration in p-type SiGe [38]. Figure S8…”

Section: Carrier Concentration Regulation For E mentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermoelectric enhancement of p-type Si ₈₀Ge ₂₀ alloy via co-compositing of dual oxides: Respective regulation for power factor and thermal conductivity by β-Ga ₂O ₃ and SiO ₂ aerogel powders

Lai¹,

Peng²,

Wang³

et al. 2023

Journal of Advanced Ceramics

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Si-based thermoelectric (TE) materials are exhibiting remarkable perspectives in self-energized applications with their special advantages. However, the relatively high total thermal conductivity (κ) prevents their TE enhancement. Here, a strategy of co-compositing dual oxides was implemented for enhancing the TE properties of p-type Si 80 Ge 20 bulks. Composited Ga 2 O 3 was demonstrated to enhance the power factor (PF) due to the crystallization-induced effect of produced Ga by decomposition on SiGe matrix. Associating with compositing SiO 2 aerogel (a-SiO 2 ) powder, not only introduced the fine amorphous inclusions and decreased the grain size of host matrix, but also various nano morphologies were formed, i.e., nano inclusions, precipitations, twin boundaries (TBs), and faults. Combining with the eutectic Ge, hierarchical scattering centers impeded the phonon transport comprehensively (decreasing the phonon group velocity ( a v ) and relaxation time) for reducing the lattice-induced thermal conductivity ( l )κ . As a result, a minimum κ of 2.38 W•m −1 •K −1 was achieved, which is significantly dropped by 32.6% in contrast with that of the pristine counterpart. Ultimately, a maximal dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) of 0.9 was achieved at 600 ℃, which is better than those of most corresponding oxide-composited Si-based bulks.

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Synergetic Enhancement of the Power Factor and Suppression of Lattice Thermal Conductivity via Electronic Structure Modification and Nanostructuring on a Ni- and B-Codoped p-Type Si–Ge Alloy for Thermoelectric Application

Cited by 20 publications

References 58 publications

Enhanced Performance of Monolithic Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Modules for Energy Harvesting via Co-optimization of Experiment and Simulation

Enhanced Performance of Monolithic Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Modules for Energy Harvesting via Co-optimization of Experiment and Simulation

Silicon–Germanium: The Legacy Lives On

Thermoelectric enhancement of p-type Si ₈₀Ge ₂₀ alloy via co-compositing of dual oxides: Respective regulation for power factor and thermal conductivity by β-Ga ₂O ₃ and SiO ₂ aerogel powders

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Synergetic Enhancement of the Power Factor and Suppression of Lattice Thermal Conductivity via Electronic Structure Modification and Nanostructuring on a Ni- and B-Codoped p-Type Si–Ge Alloy for Thermoelectric Application

Cited by 20 publications

References 58 publications

Enhanced Performance of Monolithic Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Modules for Energy Harvesting via Co-optimization of Experiment and Simulation

Enhanced Performance of Monolithic Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Modules for Energy Harvesting via Co-optimization of Experiment and Simulation

Silicon–Germanium: The Legacy Lives On

Thermoelectric enhancement of p-type Si 80Ge 20 alloy via co-compositing of dual oxides: Respective regulation for power factor and thermal conductivity by β-Ga 2O 3 and SiO 2 aerogel powders

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Product

Resources

About

Thermoelectric enhancement of p-type Si ₈₀Ge ₂₀ alloy via co-compositing of dual oxides: Respective regulation for power factor and thermal conductivity by β-Ga ₂O ₃ and SiO ₂ aerogel powders