Designing of Bulk Nano-Structures With Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties
Abstract
We discovered a grand homologous series which may help in the future to systematically identify thermoelectric materials with high performance. Namely, the series Am[Ml+1Se2+l]2m[M21+nSe2+31+n] (A = alkali metal, M = Pb, Bi) has structure-predicting properties. The modular construction of these structures from evolving building blocks permits many of the criteria necessary for good thermoelectrics to be met. K2Bi8Se13 is a member of this series and was found to be a promising thermoelectric. The charge transport properties were studied under pressure, where a significant increase in the power factor was observed. Several other promising materials were also discovered. In another part of this project we prepared nanocrystals of thermoelectric semiconductors and studied their properties. We investigated the assembly of nanocrystal components into well-organized arrays. The goal was to utilize quantum dot building blocks of desired thermal and electronic properties to design composite materials with improved power generation, thermoelectric characteristics. We devised new ways to prepare nanocrystals of PbTe, AgSbTe2 and AgPb2SbTe4.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 23, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA466951
Entities
People
- Mercouri Kanatzidis
Organizations
- Michigan State University