Investigation of thermoelelectric properties of lead- free tin telluride and skutterudite

Abstract

The rising global energy demand is causing a dramatic acceleration of social unrest. Impact of climate change on the environment due to combustion of nonrenewable energy sources is becoming increasingly alarming. Driven by the demand for clean and sustainable energy sources, thermoelectricity has become a significant part of research portfolio seeking to identify new and efficient energy materials for power generation, as ~60% of energy is inevitably lost through heat dissipation (Figure 1.1).1, 2 Exhaust from domestic heating, automobiles and industrial processes produce a large amount of unused waste heat that could be converted to electricity by using thermoelectric devices (Figure 1.1).2, 3 As thermoelectric generators are all solid-state devices without any mobile parts, they are suitable for small-scale power generation and distribution.4 For the past 40 years, thermoelectric generators have consistently provided power in remote terrestrial and extraterrestrial locations, especially on deep space probes such as Voyager.3 Solid-state Peltier coolers offer precise thermal management for optoelectronics and passenger seat-cooling in automobiles. Efforts are already underway to replace the alternator in cars with a thermoelectric generator mounted on the exhaust stream, thereby improving the fuel efficiency.