Bi-Sb-Te-Se Thermoelectric Material with Group 13 Doping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermoelectric materials face challenges in achieving high Seebeck coefficients without compromising electrical conductivity, limiting their cooling efficiency and power generation capabilities, especially in bulk form due to the trade-off relationship between these properties.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric material composition (Bia-xSb1-a-yMb)2-i(TecSe1-c)3-j, where M is an element of Group 13, is developed, allowing for increased Seebeck coefficients by controlling the chemical potential and Fermi energy, thereby enhancing thermoelectric performance without significantly reducing electrical conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the Seebeck coefficient is increased to improve thermoelectric performance, then cooling efficiency and power generation capability are enhanced, but electrical conductivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the thermoelectric material by incorporating Group 13 elements (Al, Ga, In) at controlled concentrations (0 < x ≤ 0.5) into the Bi-Sb-Te-Se system. This compositional parameter change modifies the electronic structure and carrier concentration, enabling simultaneous improvement of Seebeck coefficient and maintenance of electrical conductivity through optimized band structure and charge carrier density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite thermoelectric material system by combining multiple elements (Bi, Sb, Te, Se, and Group 13 elements) in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit synergistic effects where the Group 13 elements modify the electronic properties of the base Bi-Sb-Te-Se system, achieving enhanced thermoelectric performance without significant loss of electrical conductivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The material achieves a figure of merit ZT in the range of 1.1 to 1.4 at 300 K, offering improved thermoelectric performance with increased Seebeck coefficients and maintained electrical conductivity, suitable for cooling and power generation applications.
Implementation Method 1
The Seebeck effect is the conversion of a temperature difference directly into electricity, and can be used for power generation using an electromotive force generated from a temperature difference between ends of a thermoelectric material.
Implementation Method 2
The Peltier effect is a phenomenon wherein when a current flows in a circuit, heat is generated in an upper junction and heat is absorbed in a lower junction. The Peltier effect can be used for cooling using the temperature difference formed between ends of a thermoelectric material when electrical current is applied.
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoelectric material including a composition according to Chemical Formula 1:(Bia-xSb1-a-yMb)2-i(TecSe1-c)3-j Chemical Formula 1wherein M is an element of Group 13, 0≦a≦1, 0<b≦0.004, 0≦x≦b, 0≦y≦b, x+y=b, 0≦c≦1, −0.2≦i≦0.2, and −0.2≦j≦0.2.