Improved thermoelectric properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Ag2Se via controlling the composite ratio

• Published in: CrystEngComm Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 260 - 268
• Main Authors: Chen, Nana, Ren, Chaojun, Sun, Like, Xue, Haoyue, Yang, Han, Xue, An, Yang, Xiaoyu, Zhang, Jiajing, Che, Ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 14.01.2022
• Subjects: Diameters; Electric contacts; Electrical resistivity; Energy harvesting; Figure of merit; Heat conductivity; Heat transfer; Microparticles; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Synergistic effect; Thermal conductivity; Thermoelectric materials
• ISSN: 1466-8033
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ce01442k

The development of high-efficiency thermoelectric materials is extremely important for energy harvesting. In this study, novel MWCNTs/Ag2Se (MCAS) composites were successfully fabricated via a typical one-pot hydrothermal method and their thermoelectric properties were discussed in the temperature range from 300–420 K. SEM images revealed that the microparticle diameter of Ag2Se in MCAS was about 10 times smaller than that of pure Ag2Se, which contributed to close contact and a synergistic effect at the MCAS interface. Thermoelectric measurements indicated that 1%MCAS obtained the optimal thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) value, and this was ascribed to the outstanding electrical conductivity of the MWCNTs and the lowered thermal conductivity of 1%MCAS. The electrical conductivity of 1%MCAS was 3.0 times higher than that of Ag2Se, and the lattice thermal conductivity decreased by 55.3% at 300 K. This study provides a new strategy for designing Ag2Se-based thermoelectric materials and promoting thermoelectric performance.