Thermoelectric nanomaterials

Abstract

The present invention relates to processes for producing nanowires and nanotubes by treating a fiber comprising at least one support material and at least one thermoelectrically active material or a precursor compound of a thermoelectrically active material, to a nanowire comprising at least one thermoelectrically active material and having a diameter of <=200 nm and a length of >=1 mm, to nanotubes comprising at least one thermoelectrically active material and having a diameter of <=200 nm, a wall thickness of <=30 nm and a length of >=1 mm, and to the use of the nanowires or nanotubes for thermoelectric heating, for electricity generation, in sensors or for temperature control.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of nanowires or nanotubes by electrospinning melts or solutions of suitable support materials, including thermoelectric materials, if appropriate, and to nanowires and nanotubes, and to nanowires or nanotubes Applications in thermoelectric heating, power generation, sensors or thermal control. technical background

[0002] In the field of thermoelectric energy conversion, it is very important to find new and efficient thermoelectric active materials. Thermoelectric materials are characterized by a so-called figure of merit Z, usually expressed as a dimensionless parameter ZT. This parameter ZT must be maximized for maximum efficiency.

[0003] ZT=S 2 σT / λ

[0004] S: Seebeck coefficient, μV / K

[0005] σ: conductivity, S / cm

[0006] T: temperature, K

[0007] λ: thermal conductivity, W / (mK)

[0008] Since its discovery 50 years ago as a particularly advantageous material for cooling ...