Performance of Segmented Thermoelectric Elements Fabricated by Simultaneous Sintering Method

摘要

It is very effective for achieving high efficiency of energy conversion to give large temperature gap to both ends of a thermoelectric element or a module. In order to realizing that, the segmented thermoelectric module that consists of the multi-layered thermoelectric materials has become the focus of attention. The segmented n-type Co{sub}0.92Ni{sub}0.08Sb{sub}2.96Te{sub}0.04/composite/Bi{sub}2Te{sub}3 and p-type AgSbTe{sub}2/Sb{sub}2Te{sub}3/Bi{sub}0.4Sb{sub}1.6Te{sub}3 thermoelectric elements were respectively fabricated by a simultaneous sintering method with a pulse discharge sintering (PDS) equipment. An n-type composite material of Co{sub}0.92Ni{sub}0.08Sb{sub}2.96Te{sub}0.04 and Bi{sub}2Te{sub}3 was used as the intermediate-layer. It is confirmed that the multi-layered structure improved the thermoelectric performance in both n-type and p-type elements. The results were also compared with the values simulated by solving an unsteady one-dimensional equation of heat conduction based on the measured thermoelectric properties of each material. Furthermore, the p-type and n-type segmented elements were connected for fabricating thermoelectric modules. Improvement of thermoelectric performance in the modules was also confirmed.