Long term stability testing of oxide unicouple thermoelectric modules
Thermoelectric devices based on oxides are good candidates for energy harvesting technologies for use in aggressive conditions where the materials should withstand high temperatures and corrosive environments over prolonged time. This leads to a natural concern for the stability of the electrical contacts, especially on the hot side of the module. In this work, we have assembled several prototype unicouple thermoelectric modules made by pyrolyzed and spark plasma sintered n-type CaMnO3 and p-type Ca3Co4O9 and then tested under different conditions mimicking end-user applications. For baseline experiments we have chosen to use nickel as the contact material in order to show the effect of its…
Performance of a thermoelectric module based on n-type (La0.12Sr0.88)0.95TiO3-δ and p-type Ca3Co4-xO9+δ
Here, we present the performance of a thermoelectric (TE) module consisting of n-type (La0.12Sr0.88)0.95TiO3 and p-type Ca3Co4-xO9+δ materials. The main challenge in this investigation was operation of TE module in different atmosphere conditions, since n-type has its optimum TE-performance at reducing, while p-type at oxidizing conditions. The TE module was exposed to two different atmospheres and demonstrated higher stability in N2 atmosphere than in air. The maximum electrical power output decreased after 40 h when the hot side was exposed to N2 at 600 °C, while only 1 h at 400 °C in ambient air was enough to oxidize (La0.12Sr0.88)0.95TiO3 followed by a reduced electrical power output. T…
High temperature oxidation of Mg2(Si-Sn)
Abstract High temperature oxidation of Mg 2 Si 1- x Sn x alloys ( x = 0.1 ⿿ 0.6) has been investigated. The oxidation rate was slow for temperatures below 430 °C. In the temperature range between 430⿿500 °C all the alloys exhibited breakaway oxidation. The onset temperature of the breakaway region in general decreased with increasing level of Sn in the alloy. The breakaway behavior is explained by a combination of the formation of a non-protective MgO layer and the formation of Sn-rich liquid at the interface between the oxide and Mg depleted Mg 2 Sn.
Fabrication of a Silicide Thermoelectric Module Employing Fractional Factorial Design Principles
AbstractThermoelectric modules can be used in waste heat harvesting, sensing, and cooling applications. Here, we report on the fabrication and performance of a four-leg module based on abundant silicide materials. While previously optimized Mg2Si0.3Sn0.675Bi0.025 is used as the n-type leg, we employ a fractional factorial design based on the Taguchi methods mapping out a four-dimensional parameter space among Mnx-εMoεSi1.75−δGeδ higher manganese silicide compositions for the p-type material. The module is assembled using a scalable fabrication process, using a Cu metallization layer and a Pb-based soldering paste. The maximum power output density of 53 μW cm–2 is achieved at a hot-side temp…
Design, assembly and characterization of silicide-based thermoelectric modules
ID: 1143 In: Energy conversion and management, 13-21. Summary: Highlights•Novel silicide-based thermoelectric modules were experimentally investigated.•The modules produced high power of 1.04 W at 405 °C and 3.24 W at 735 °C.•An estimated module efficiency of 5.3% represent the highest reported for silicide systems.AbstractSilicides have attracted considerable attention for use in thermoelectric generators due mainly to low cost, low toxicity and light weight, in contrast to conventional materials such as bismuth and lead telluride. Most reported work has focused on optimizing the materials properties while little has been done on module testing. In this work we have designed and tested mod…
Methods for Enhancing the Thermal Durability of High-Temperature Thermoelectric Materials
Author's version of an article in the journal: Journal of Electronic Materials. Also available from the publisher at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11664-013-2917-0 Thermoelectric materials, for example skutterudites and magnesium silicides, are being investigated as promising materials for medium-to-high-temperature waste heat recovery in transport and in industry. A crucial aspect of the success of a thermoelectric material is its stability over time when exposed to rapid heating and cooling. In this work different aspects of the degradation of these thermoelectric materials at high temperature were examined. Initial thermal durability was studied, and several candidate coatings were evaluat…
High temperature oxidation of higher manganese silicides
Abstract The oxidation kinetics and mechanisms of higher manganese silicides (HMS) MnSi1.75, MnSi (1.75-x)Gex, MnSi(1.75-x)Alx (with x = 0.005 and 0.01)were studied and the effects of densification methods and dopant concentration discussed. Oxidation experiments were conducted using thermogravimetry (TGA), while post characterization with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed that spark plasma sintering (SPS) is a better densification method than hot pressing (HP). Except for undoped HMS, HMS doped with 0.5at% Ge had the lowest oxidation rate. Stable formation of a SiO2 protective layer was the main reason for improved oxidation resistance in …
Thermal durability of novel thermoelectric materials for waste heat recovery
Doktorgradsavhandling Thermoelectric Generators (TEG) are a potential technology for waste heat recovery. At their hearts, thermoelectric materials convert a heat flux into electric current. By placing TEGs on the surface of a waste heat source, some of the heat can be converted into valuable electric energy. However, todays state-of-the art materials have low efficiencies, are limited to low temperature operation, contains toxic and rare elements and are in general not cost-effective for such applications. New thermoelectric materials are needed that can overcome these barriers. In this thesis, two classes of materials have been investigated; skutterudites and silicides. Both have relative…
The effect of Mo and Ge reactive elements on high-temperature oxidation of higher manganese silicide
Abstract Higher manganese silicide (HMS) alloys (Mnx-αMoαSiy-βGeβ (x = 0.99–1.011, α = 0.005–0.02, y = 1.75, β = 0.005–0.01)) were studied to elucidate the effect of Mo and Ge pertaining to oxidation. Oxidation experiments were conducted using thermogravimetry and characterized using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Isoconversion experiments below 450 °C, shows that doping (up to 2 at%) raises the oxidation potential of HMS. Isothermally, the oxidation rate reduces buy one order of magnitude by doping on Mn and/or Si sites from 0.5 to 2 at%, revealing that the dopants-based oxides do not lessen the robustness of SiO2 oxide.