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High-Efficiency Skutterudite Modules at a Low Temperature Gradient

Author

Listed:
  • Wenjie Li

    (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

  • David Stokes

    (Electronics and Applied Physics Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA)

  • Bed Poudel

    (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

  • Udara Saparamadu

    (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

  • Amin Nozariasbmarz

    (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

  • Han Byul Kang

    (Center for Energy Harvesting Materials and Systems (CEHMS), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA)

  • Shashank Priya

    (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

Abstract

Thermoelectric skutterudite materials have been widely investigated for their potential application in mid-temperature waste heat recovery that has not been efficiently utilized A large amount of research has focused on developing materials with a high thermoelectric figure of merit ( zT ). However, the translation of material properties to device performance has limited success. Here, we demonstrate single-filling n-type Yb 0.25 Fe 0.25 Co 3.75 Sb 12 and multi-filling La 0.7 Ti 0.1 Ga 0.1 Fe 2.7 Co 1.3 Sb 12 skutterudites with a maximum zT of ~1.3 at 740 K and ~0.97 at 760 K. The peak zT of skutterudites usually occurs above 800 K, but, as shown here, the shift in peak zT to lower temperatures is beneficial for enhancing conversion efficiency at a lower hot-side temperature. In this work, we have demonstrated that the Fe-substitution significantly reduces the thermal conductivity of n-type skutterudite, closer to p-type skutterudite thermal conductivity, resulting in a module that is more compatible to operate at elevated temperatures. A uni-couple skutterudite module was fabricated using a molybdenum electrode and Ga–Sn liquid metal as the thermal interface material. A conversion efficiency of 7.27% at a low temperature gradient of 366 K was achieved, which is among the highest efficiencies reported in the literature at this temperature gradient. These results highlight that peak zT shift and optimized module design can improve conversion efficiency of thermoelectric modules at a low temperature gradient.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenjie Li & David Stokes & Bed Poudel & Udara Saparamadu & Amin Nozariasbmarz & Han Byul Kang & Shashank Priya, 2019. "High-Efficiency Skutterudite Modules at a Low Temperature Gradient," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:22:p:4292-:d:285735
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yinglu Tang & Riley Hanus & Sinn-wen Chen & G. Jeffrey Snyder, 2015. "Solubility design leading to high figure of merit in low-cost Ce-CoSb3 skutterudites," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-7, November.
    2. Huixia Luo & Jason W. Krizan & Lukas Muechler & Neel Haldolaarachchige & Tomasz Klimczuk & Weiwei Xie & Michael K. Fuccillo & Claudia Felser & Robert J. Cava, 2015. "A large family of filled skutterudites stabilized by electron count," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-10, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hanhwi Jang & Jong Bae Kim & Abbey Stanley & Suhyeon Lee & Yeongseon Kim & Sang Hyun Park & Min-Wook Oh, 2020. "Fabrication of Skutterudite-Based Tubular Thermoelectric Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-11, March.

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