Development of thermoelectric module based on dense Ca^sub 3^Co^sub 4^O^sub 9^ and Zn^sub 0.98^Al^sub 0.02^O legs

• Published in: Metals and materials international Vol. 20; no. 2; p. 389
• Main Authors: Mele, Paolo, Kamei, Hiroyuki, Yasumune, Hiroyuki, Matsumoto, Kaname, Miyazaki, Koji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul Springer Nature B.V 01.03.2014
• ISSN: 1598-9623; 2005-4149
• DOI: 10.1007/s12540-014-2024-7

Ca^sub 3^Co^sub 4^O^sub 9^ (p-type) and Zn^sub 0.98^Al^sub 0.02^O (n-type) pellets were prepared by conventional sintering (CS) and Spark Plasma sintering (SPS) starting from the oxides. The best p-type sample was SPS Ca^sub 3^Co^sub 4^O^sub 9^ obtained from pre-sintered pellets, with electrical conductivity σ = 144 S/cm and Seebeck coefficient S = 172 [mu]V/K at 800 °C, while thermal conductivity [kappa] = 2.00 W/m×K and figure of merit ZT = 0.23. The best n-type sample was CS Zn^sub 0.98^Al^sub 0.02^O showing σ = 83 S/cm and S = -268 [mu]V/K at 800 °C, while = 5.03 W/m×K and ZT = 0.127. The output power of a module based on SPS Ca^sub 3^Co^sub 4^O^sub 9^ and CS Zn^sub 0.98^Al^sub 0.02^O legs was 2.26 mW (with T = 500 °C, ΔT = 248 °C).[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]