Effects on Thermoelectric Properties of Tegs on Introduction of Ternary Species into the Bi2te3 Lattice Structure

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

INDEX

INTRODUCTION

Modern industrial processes are highly efficient in energy conservation and heat integration essential only till a moderate extent till it is economically feasible. Even after employing the conventional heat recovery techniques, a large portion of this energy still goes to waste. This is exactly what the Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) target; converting the heat energy from a waste heat source directly into electrical power. However promising the concept may be, the existing TEG modules provide very low thermos power, which make them ineffective for widespread commercial use.

Adapting Bi2Te3 based modules shall provide superior thermoelectric properties, having dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) much larger than unity due to decreased carrier density and in-lattice thermal conduction, by introducing a ternary element. The grain boundary scattering in the material provides an avenue to effectively lower the thermal conductivity in thermoelectric materials. However, the “bare” inter-grain boundary often simultaneously degrades the electrical conductivity and power output. Thus control over the inter-grain boundary by introducing Ag particles may improve the thermoelectric performance of the modules by intensifying inter-grain carrier transfer.

Working of thermoelectric modules

A thermoelectric (TE) material possesses the ability to convert thermal energy into electrical energy through a process known as the Seebeck effect, which is based on electron kinetics within differing metallic semiconductors.

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Thermoelectric (TE) materials have been the topic of intensive research due to their unique dual capability of directly converting heat into electricity or electrical power into cooling or heating. These materials can play an important role in reducing carbon emission by converting waste heat into electricity.