Abstract
We report a straightforward methodology for the fabrication of high-temperature thermoelectric (TE) modules using commercially available solder alloys and metal barriers. This methodology employs standard and accessible facilities that are simple to implement in any laboratory. A TE module formed by nine n-type Yb x Co4Sb12 and p-type Ce x Fe3CoSb12 state-of-the-art skutterudite material couples was fabricated. The physical properties of the synthesized skutterudites were determined, and the module power output, internal resistance, and thermocycling stability were evaluated in air. At a temperature difference of 365 K, the module provides more than 1.5 W cm−3 volume power density. However, thermocycling showed an increase of the internal module resistance and degradation in performance with the number of cycles when the device is operated at a hot-side temperature higher than 573 K. This may be attributed to oxidation of the skutterudite thermoelements.
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García-Cañadas, J., Powell, A.V., Kaltzoglou, A. et al. Fabrication and Evaluation of a Skutterudite-Based Thermoelectric Module for High-Temperature Applications. J. Electron. Mater. 42, 1369–1374 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-012-2241-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-012-2241-0