Thermoelectric nanocomposites for thermal energy conversion

Abstract

Thermoelectric (TE) solid-state devices can convert heat into electricity. TE nanocomposites usually possess better TE performances than traditional TE bulks, such as higher figure-of-merit (ZT) and power output, playing a key role for industrial applications of TE devices, and thereby offering a great promise for improving energy efficiency over the traditional renewable energy systems. This chapter reviews manufacturing, TE properties and devices of TE nanocomposites. These nanocomposites are bottom-up compacted from nanoparticles that are produced by ball-milling. The produced nanocomposites possess unique microstructures to scatter phonons to decrease thermal conductivity and hold electric conductivity while maintaining or increasing the Seebeck coefficient. ZT of these nanocomposites are usually enhanced 10-100 %. TE devices are fabricated from these nanocomposites and their efficiencies are described. Future developments of TE nanocomposites are outlooked at the end of the chapter. The chapter will benefit material scientists, device engineers, and graduate students working in TE fields.