Method of manufacturing a thermoelectric material consisting of Mg2Si based compound .

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoelectric material with a large dimensionless performance index and thus facilitate the manufacturing method.;SOLUTION: A thermoelectric material comprises a Mg₂Si group compound of the chemical formula Mg_2-x-y-zAl_xZn_yMn_zSi in which x≠0, y≠0, z≠0, 0.04≤y/x≤0.6 and 0.013≤z/x≤0.075, where the total added amount of Al, Zn and Mn is 0.3at% or more and 5at% or less. Mg_2-x-y-zAl_xZn_yMn_z is imparted as an Mg alloy. The Mg alloy and Si powder are mixed so that the atomic ratio of the Mg alloy and the Si is 2:1; the Mg alloy and the Si are subjected to synthesis reaction using a liquid phase-solid phase reaction method, in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature of a melting-point or higher of the Mg alloy, in solid-liquid coexistence state of the Mg alloy in liquid-phase state and the Si in solid-phase state; by cooling after completion of the reaction, a porous Mg₂Si group compound is produced; the Mg₂Si group compound is pulverized in an inert gas atmosphere to form a pulverized body; and then the pulverized body is subjected to pressure sintering under vacuum or an inert atmosphere.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT