Screening strategy for developing thermoelectric interface materials

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Liangjun Xie - , Harbin Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Li Yin - , Harbin Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Yuan Yu - , RWTH Aachen University (Author)
  • Guyang Peng - , Xi'an Jiaotong University (Author)
  • Shaowei Song - , University of Houston (Author)
  • Pingjun Ying - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Songting Cai - , Northwestern University (Author)
  • Yuxin Sun - , Harbin Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Wenjing Shi - , Harbin Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Hao Wu - , Harbin Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Nuo Qu - , Harbin Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Fengkai Guo - , Harbin Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Wei Cai - , Harbin Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Haijun Wu - , Xi'an Jiaotong University (Author)
  • Qian Zhang - , Harbin Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Kornelius Nielsch - , Chair of Metallic Materials and Metal Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Zhifeng Ren - , University of Houston (Author)
  • Zihang Liu - , Harbin Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Jiehe Sui - , Harbin Institute of Technology (Author)

Abstract

Thermoelectric interface materials (TEiMs) are essential to the development of thermoelectric generators. Common TEiMs use pure metals or binary alloys but have performance stability issues. Conventional selection of TEiMs generally relies on trial-and-error experimentation. We developed a TEiM screening strategy that is based on phase diagram predictions by density functional theory calculations. By combining the phase diagram with electrical resistivity and melting points of potential reaction products, we discovered that the semimetal MgCuSb is a reliable TEiM for high-performance MgAgSb. The MgCuSb/MgAgSb junction exhibits low interfacial contact resistivity (rc <1 microhm square centimeter) even after annealing at 553 kelvin for 16 days. The fabricated two-pair MgAgSb/ Mg3.2Bi1.5Sb0.5 module demonstrated a high conversion efficiency of 9.25% under a 300 kelvin temperature gradient. We performed an international round-robin testing of module performance to confirm the measurement reliability. The strategy can be applied to other thermoelectric materials, filling a vital gap in the development of thermoelectric modules.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)921-929
Number of pages9
JournalScience
Volume382
Issue number6673
Publication statusPublished - 24 Nov 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 37995213

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas