Enhanced thermoelectric properties of atomic-layer-deposited Hf:Zn16O/18O superlattice films by interface-engineering
Journal
Ceramics International
Journal Volume
46
Journal Issue
6
Pages
7122-7130
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Abstract
This study examines three novel approaches for enhancing the thermoelectric (TE) properties of atomic-layer-deposited (ALD) ZnO thin films: 1) Hf-doping, which preserved the crystallinity of ZnO and provided effective phonon scattering owing to Hf's similar atomic radius to and large mass difference with Zn, leading to high power factor (PF) and low thermal conductivity (κ); 2) controlling the distribution of Hf into an alternating scattered phase/clustered phase superlattice, which balanced the high PF of the scattered phases with the low κ of the clustered phases, while providing significant energy-filtering effect to raise the Seebeck coefficient; 3) introducing 18O/16O periodicity into the Hf:ZnO films—by alternately using H2 16O and H2 18O as oxidants in the ALD processes, which further suppressed κ without compromising PF. The combination of the three approaches resulted in a maximum improvement in ZT of ~1600% over that of the undoped ZnO.
SDGs
Type
journal article