Thermoelectric Modules Based on Half-Heusler Materials Produced in Large Quantities

Bartholomé, Kilian; Balke, Benjamin; Zuckermann, Daniel; Köhne, Martin; Müller, M.; Tarantik, Karina R.; König, Jan

doi:10.1007/s11664-013-2863-x

Cited by 119 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…These reported TEG efficiencies are already higher than those of state-of-the-art TEGs [11][12][13][14]. The power density output of HH alloy based TEG was reported to exceed 3 W/cm 2 [3]. These results are encouraging since the measured efficiency is only within a few percent of the theoretical value.…”

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confidence: 78%

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Half-Heusler Alloys for Efficient Thermoelectric Power Conversion

Chen

Zeng

Tritt

et al. 2016

Journal of Elec Materi

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Half-Heusler (HH) phases (space group F43m, Cl b ) are increasingly gaining attention as promising thermoelectric materials in view of their thermal stability and environmental benignity as well as efficient power output. Until recently, the verifiable dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) of HH phases has remained moderate near 1, which limits the power conversion efficiency of these materials. We report herein ZT~1.3 in n-type (Hf,Zr)NiSn alloys near 850 K developed through elemental substitution and simultaneously embedment of nanoparticles in the HH matrix, obtained by annealing the samples close to their melting temperatures. Introduction of mass fluctuation and scattering centers play a key role in the high ZT measured, as shown by the reduction of thermal conductivity and increase of thermopower. Based on computation, the power conversion efficiency of a n-p couple module based on the new n-type (Hf,Zr,Ti)NiSn particles-in-matrix composite and recently reported high-ZT p-type HH phases is expected to reach 13%, comparable to that of state-of-the-art materials, but with the mentioned additional materials and environmental attributes. Since the high efficiency is obtained without tuning the microstructure of the HalfHeusler phases, it leaves room for further optimization.

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confidence: 78%

“…Thermoelectric conversion has gained much attention as one of the approaches for clean energy production by converting waste heat directly into electricity. RNiSn (R= Hf, Zr and Ti) Half-Heusler phases have attracted attention due to their thermal stability [1,2], high reproducibility and potentially large power output [3][4][5][6].…”

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confidence: 99%

Half-Heusler Alloys for Efficient Thermoelectric Power Conversion

Chen

Zeng

Tritt

et al. 2016

Journal of Elec Materi

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“…Weidenkaff et al reported that a power density of 0.275W/cm 2 can be realized under Δ T = 565 K in an unileg module by using (Ti,Zr,Hf)NiSn HH compounds. [ 119 ] A 7 n-p HH module was assembled by Bartholomé et al based on n-type Hf 0.6 Zr 0.4 NiSn 0.98 Sb 0.02 and p-type Hf 0.5 Zr 0.5 CoSb 0.8 Sn 0.2 HH alloys, which displays a maximum conversion efficiency of 5% and total area power density of 1.1 W cm −2 under Δ T = 500 K. [ 120 ] Poon et al realized a high conversion effi ciency of 8.7% under Δ T = 657 K for a p-n HH couple device. [ 121 ] However, detailed information about the leg dimension and power density of this device are not presented, making it hard to compare with the other HH device.…”

Section: Half-heusler Prototype Modulementioning

confidence: 99%

High Efficiency Half‐Heusler Thermoelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting

Zhu

Xie

et al. 2015

Advanced Energy Materials

423

261

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respectively the temperature of the hot side and cold side, Δ T = T H -T C and T avg are the temperature gradient and average between hot and cold sides. [ 4 ] The fi gure of merit zT is defi ned as zT = α 2 σT /( κ e + κ L ), where α , σ , T , κ e and κ L are respectively the Seebeck coeffi cient, the electrical conductivity, the absolute temperature, and the electrical and lattice components of total thermal conductivity κ . [ 2 ] High conversion effi ciency of 15%-20% is thought of as the "Holy Grail" for large scale application of TE technologies. [ 5 ] As depicted in Figure 1 , this conversion efficiency can be realized by using middle temperature (500-900 K) TE materials with very high zT or high temperature (>900 K) TE materials with compromised zT . Recently, much progress has been made in developing high effi ciency middle temperature TE materials: high zT 's of ≈1.5 at 750 K for n-type and ≈2.0 at for p-type have been achieved in PbTe-based alloys, [6][7][8][9] while n-type and p-type fi lled skutterudites have the maximum zT 's of ≈1.7 and ≈1.0, respectively, near 800 K. [ 10,11 ] Some other TE materials made of earth-abundant and non-toxic elements have also been identifi ed, such as single crystal SnSe ( zT ≈ 2.6 at 923 K), [ 12 ] silicides [ 13,14 ] and α -MgAgSb. [ 15 ] However, there remain tremendous challenges for most of these TE materials for large scale commercial application, mainly due to their relatively poor thermal stability and weak mechanical strength at high temperatures. In Half-Heusler (HH) compounds have gained ever-increasing popularity as promising high temperature thermoelectric materials. High fi gure of merit zT of ≈1.0 above 1000 K has recently been realized for both n-type and p-type HH compounds, demonstrating the realistic prospect of these high temperature compounds for high effi ciency power generation. Here, recent progress in advanced fabrication techniques and the intrinsic atomic disorders in HH compounds, which are linked to the understanding of the electrical transport, is discussed. Thermoelectric transport features of n-type ZrNiSn-based HH alloys are particularly emphasized, which is benefi cial to further improving thermoelectric performance and comprehensively understanding the underlying mechanisms in HH thermoelectric materials. The rational design and realization of new high performance p-type Fe(V,Nb)Sb-based HH compounds are also demonstrated. The outlook for future research directions of HH thermoelectric materials is also discussed.

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“…Therefore, other above-listed materials with less toxicity have recently been utilized for TE modules. [6][7][8] They are expected to be put into practical use in the near future if the cost performance is more improved.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research Update: Cu–S based synthetic minerals as efficient thermoelectric materials at medium temperatures

2016

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Synthetic minerals and related systems based on Cu–S are attractive thermoelectric (TE) materials because of their environmentally benign characters and high figures of merit at around 700 K. This overview features the current examples including kesterite, binary copper sulfides, tetrahedrite, colusite, and chalcopyrite, with emphasis on their crystal structures and TE properties. This survey highlights the superior electronic properties in the p-type materials as well as the close relationship between crystal structures and thermophysical properties. We discuss the mechanisms of high power factor and low lattice thermal conductivity, approaching higher TE performances for the Cu–S based materials.

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Thermoelectric Modules Based on Half-Heusler Materials Produced in Large Quantities

Cited by 119 publications

References 14 publications

Half-Heusler Alloys for Efficient Thermoelectric Power Conversion

Half-Heusler Alloys for Efficient Thermoelectric Power Conversion

High Efficiency Half‐Heusler Thermoelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting

Research Update: Cu–S based synthetic minerals as efficient thermoelectric materials at medium temperatures

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