Towards tellurium-free thermoelectric modules for power generation from low-grade heat.

ABSTRACT: Thermoelectric technology converts heat into electricity directly and is a promising source of clean electricity. Commercial thermoelectric modules have relied on Bi₂Te₃-based compounds because of their unparalleled thermoelectric properties at temperatures associated with low-grade heat (<550 K). However, the scarcity of elemental Te greatly limits the applicability of such modules. Here we report the performance of thermoelectric modules assembled from Bi₂Te₃-substitute compounds, including p-type MgAgSb and n-type Mg₃(Sb,Bi)₂, by using a simple, versatile, and thus scalable processing routine. For a temperature difference of ~250 K, whereas a single-stage module displayed a conversion efficiency of ~6.5%, a module using s

SUBMITTER: Ying P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7892859 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature