Composite Thermoelectric Material Bulk Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermoelectric materials face a trade-off between Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, limiting their energy conversion efficiency, and nanostructured materials with high figure of merit ZT are difficult to manufacture in bulk form.
Innovation Solution
A composite thermoelectric material is developed with a matrix of thermoelectric semiconductor and a nanoscale heterophase containing a transition metal element, which increases phonon scattering and selectively transports carriers, enhancing the Seebeck coefficient and figure of merit ZT, while being manufacturable in bulk form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nanostructured material is used to increase phonon scattering and decrease thermal conductivity, then the figure of merit ZT increases, but the manufacturing complexity and difficulty of producing bulk material increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite thermoelectric material consisting of a matrix phase containing thermoelectric semiconductor particles and a secondary heterophase dispersed within the matrix. This composite structure enables phonon scattering at the interfaces between phases, reducing thermal conductivity while maintaining electrical conductivity, thereby increasing the figure of merit ZT. The composite approach allows bulk material production through conventional sintering methods, avoiding the manufacturing complexity of true nanostructures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heterophase with specific local properties (different composition, crystal structure, or morphology) dispersed within the matrix phase. This local heterogeneity creates interfaces that selectively scatter phonons while allowing electron transport, achieving the desired decoupling of thermal and electrical conductivity. The local quality variation is achieved through controlled particle size and distribution in the composite material.
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 composite material achieves a significantly increased figure of merit ZT, making it suitable for efficient energy conversion and suitable for industrial applications, with improved electrical conductivity and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
A nanostructured material has a small particle size compared to a bulk material, and thus an intergranular density of the nanostructured material is greater than that of the bulk material. Accordingly, phonon scattering, which occurs at interfaces, is increased in the nanostructured material. When phonon scattering is increased, thermal conductivity decreases.
Implementation Method 2
The Seebeck effect refers to an electromotive force that is generated due to a temperature difference between opposite ends of the two dissimilar materials which are connected to each other by a junction therebetween
Implementation Method 3
The Peltier effect refers to heat emission or absorption that occurs at a junction of dissimilar materials due to an external current applied to the two dissimilar materials, which are connected to each other by a junction therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A composite thermoelectric material comprising a matrix comprising a thermoelectric semiconductor; and a nanoscale heterophase dispersed in the matrix, wherein the thermoelectric semiconductor comprises an element belonging to Group 15 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and the heterophase comprises a transition metal element.