Glass for Thermoelectric Applications

Abstract

Thermoelectric materials, which are characterized by their figure of merit zT, are able to convert heat into electricity and inversely, they can produce a heat gradient from a potential gradient. In this chapter, chalcogenide glasses that exhibit low glass transition temperature (Tg) as well as very low thermal conductivity are envisaged as potential thermoelectric materials for room temperature applications up to 100∘C. Even if they do not compete with their crystalline counterparts, such as Bi2Te3, in this range of temperature (mainly because of their high resistivity) some strategies are proved to be efficient to increase the zT value of these materials. For example, adding a metallic element (Cu), partially crystallizing the glassy matrix or considering composite materials are ways to reach this goal.