Tuning Interstitials in Fully Dense β-Zn4Sb3 Doubles Single-Leg Thermoelectric Efficiency
Journal
ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Journal Volume
15
Journal Issue
44
Start Page
51110
End Page
51116
ISSN
19448244
Date Issued
2023
Author(s)
Abstract
Zinc antimonides, particularly the β-Zn4Sb3 compound, act as prototypes in the early phases of thermoelectric generator (TEG) development. However, their potential applications are constrained by structural instability at elevated temperatures. In this study, introducing a low concentration of aluminum (Al) achieves a highly stable Al-Zn4Sb3, exhibiting an improved peak zT value compared to undoped Zn4Sb3. Notably, a single-leg device utilizing a fully dense Al0.01Zn3.99Sb3 demonstrates an impressive conversion efficiency (η) of 3% even at a temperature difference (ΔT) of 225 K. This result represents an approximately 200% increase compared with the pristine one. The combination of dilute cationic doping and phase diagram engineering solidifies the potential of Zn4Sb3 as an efficient and sustainable green energy device. © 2023 American Chemical Society
Subjects
conversion efficiency
dilute cationic doping
phase diagram engineering
thermoelectric generator
β-Zn4 Sb3
SDGs
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Type
journal article