Preparation and optimization of thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 based alloys using the waste particles as raw materials from the cutting process of the zone melting crystal rods. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiang, Qiusheng; Fan, Xi'an; Han, Xuewu; Zhang, Chengcheng; Hu, Jie; Feng, Bo; Jiang, Chengpeng; Li, Guangqiang; Li, Yawei; He, Zhu
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics and chemistry of solids. Volume 111(2017)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Thermoelectric performance -- Bi2Te3 -- Cutting waste -- Recycling -- Resistance pressing sintering; Solids -- Periodicals; Solides -- Périodiques; Solids; Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2017.07.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3697

Abstract

Abstract: The p-type Bi2 Te3 alloys were prepared using the waste particles from the cutting process of the zone melting crystal rods as the main raw materials by impurity removal process including washing, carbon monoxide reduction and vacuum metallurgical process. The thermoelectric properties of the Bi2 Te3 based bulk materials were optimized by component adjustment, second smelting and resistance pressing sintering (RPS) process. All evidences confirmed that most of impurities from the line cutting process and the oxidation such as Sb2 O3, Bi2 O3 and Bi2 Te4 O11 could be removed by carbon monoxide reduction and vacuum metallurgical process adopted in this work, and the recycling yield was higher than 97%. Appropriate component adjustment treatment was used to optimize the carrier content and corresponding thermoelectric properties. Lastly, a Bi0.36 Sb1.64 Te3 bulk was obtained and its power factor ( PF ) could reach 4.24 mW m −1 K −2 at 300 K and the average PF value was over 3.2 mW m −1 K −2 from 300 K to 470 K, which was equivalent with the thermoelectric performance of the zone melting products from high purity elements Bi, Te and Sb. It was worth mentioning that the recovery process introduced here was a simple, low-cost, high recovery rate and green recycling technology. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Waste particles of cooling rod were recycled by CO reduction and vacuum metallurgy. The recycling technology is accordance with the principle of 3-R. The recycling yield of the Bi2 Te3 based waste was over 97%. The PF value of Bi0.36 Sb1.64 Te3 bulk could reach 4.24 mW m −1 K −2 at 300 K. The average PF of Bi0.36 Sb1.64 Te3 bulk was 3.2 mW m −1 K −2 from 300 K to 470 K.