Realizing high-performance thermoelectric power generation through grain boundary engineering of skutterudite-based nanocomposites. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Qihao; Zhou, Zhenxing; Dylla, Maxwell; Agne, Matthias T.; Pei, Yanzhong; Wang, Lianjun; Tang, Yunshan; Liao, Jincheng; Li, Juan; Bai, Shengqiang; Jiang, Wan; Chen, Lidong; Jeffrey Snyder, Gerald
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 41(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 501
• Page End: 510
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Thermoelectric -- Power generation -- Grain boundary engineering -- Skutterudites -- Nanocomposites; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.10.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: There have been few demonstrations that grain boundary engineering results in higher power generation efficiencies despite serious interest in using the strategy to improve zT . Using both Yb2 O3 nanoprecipitates that decorate grain boundaries and carbon nanotubes to further reduce thermal conductivity and improve mechanical strength, a maximum zT of 1.43 at 875 K and a device ZT of approximately 1.0 in Yb-filled CoSb3 -based nanocomposites are achieved. The preparation procedure of these materials is repeatable in mass production. Thermoelectric power generation modules based on these high-performance materials demonstrate a thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 9.3% under a temperature difference of 558 K. The results highlight nanostructured grain boundary engineering as a strategy to improve conventional thermoelectric materials, and the realistic prospect of large-scale thermoelectric power generation using skutterudite-based nanocomposites is demonstrated. Graphical abstract: A thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 9.3% is realized in skutterudite-based thermoelectric power generation module via grain boundary engineering. By using both Yb2 O3 nanoprecipitates and carbon nanotubes to decorate grain boundaries, we achieve a maximum zT of 1.4 at 875 K and a device ZT of approximately 1.0 in Yb-filled CoSb3 -based nanocomposites, which demonstrates the realistic prospect of large-scale thermoelectric power generation using skutterudite-based nanocomposites. Highlights: Both Yb2 O3 nanoprecipitates and CNTs are used for grain boundary engineering. A maximum zT of 1.4 at 875 K and a device ZT of approximately 1.0 are achieved. A thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 9.3% is realized.