Abstract
Thermoelectric modules are of great interest for power generation applications where temperature gradients of approximately 500K exist, and hot side temperatures near 800K. The fabrication of such modules requires optimization of the material compositions, low contact resistivities, and low thermal loss.
AgPbmSbTe2+m (LAST) and Ag(Pb1-xSnx)m SbTe2+m (LASTT) compounds are among the best known materials appropriate for this temperature range. Various measurement systems have been developed and used to characterize bulk samples in the LAST and LASTT systems within this operating temperature range. From the characterized data, modeling of modules based on these materials and segmented legs using LAST(T) with Bi2Te3 have been used to identify the optimal geometry for the individual legs, and the length of the Bi2Te3 segments. We have segmented LAST(T) with Bi2Te3 and achieved contact resistivities of less than 10 μΩ•cm2.
Here we give a detailed presentation on the procedures used in the fabrication of thermoelectric generators based on LAST, LASTT, and segmented with Bi2Te3 materials. We also present the output data on these generators.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
T. C. Harman, M. P. Walsh, B. E. LaForge, G. W. Turner, Journal of Electronic Materials, Vol. 34, No. 5, pp. L19–L22, 2005.
L. D. Hicks, M. S. Dresselhaus, Physical Review B, 47 (19), 12727–12731, 1993.
R. Venkatasubramanian, E. Siivola, T. Colpitts, B. O’Quinn, Nature, 413, p. 597–602, 2001.
D. A. Broido, T. L. Reinecke, Physical Review B, 64, 045324, 2001.
K. F. Hsu, S. Loo, F. Guo, W. Chen, J. S. Dyck, C. Uher, T. Hogan, E. K. Polychroniadis, M. G. Kanatzidis, Science, 303, pp. 818–821, 2004
A. Kosuga, M. Uno, K. Kurosaki, S. Yamanaka, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 391 (1– 2), pp. 288–291, 2005.
H. Lin, E. S. Bozin, S. J. L. Billinge, E. Quarez, M.G. Kanatzidis, Physical Review B, 72 (17): Art. No. 174113, 2005
V. Haba, “Method and Materials for Obtaining Low resistance Bonds to Bismuth Telluride,” US Patent # 3,079,455, February 26, 1963.
Fortafix Limited, First Drove, Fengate, Peterborough, PE1 5BJ, United Kingdom. Telephone: 01733 566136, Website: http://www.fortafix.com, 2007.
D. M. Rowe, CRC Handbook of thermoelectrics. Washington, DC.: CRC Press, pp 519, 1994
W. E. Kortier, J. J. Mueller and P. E. eggers, “Thermoelectric Module,” US Patent # 4211889,, July 8, 1980.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wu, CI., Timm, E.J., Ren, F. et al. Study on the Fabrication and Characterization of LAST and LASTT Based Thermoelectric Generators. MRS Online Proceedings Library 1044, 1008 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1044-U10-08
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1044-U10-08