Enhancing the thermoelectric properties of Nb-doped TiO2-based ceramics through in-situ synthesis of β-Sn inclusions at grain boundaries
Reference:
Liu, X., Yu, J., Wang, B., Maji, K., Alvarez-Ruiz, D.T., Guilmeau, E. and Freer, R., 2023. Enhancing the thermoelectric properties of Nb-doped TiO2-based ceramics through in-situ synthesis of β-Sn inclusions at grain boundaries.Journal of the European Ceramic Society,43(6), pp.2523-2533.
PI-KEM Product Referenced:
YSZ Balls
Abstract:
Significantly enhanced thermoelectric performance of Nb-doped TiO2 ceramics has been achieved through in-situ formation of β-Sn grain boundary inclusions. The ceramics were prepared by mixed oxide route and sintered at 1473 K (lower than usual for TiO2) and strongly reducing conditions. All sample micro structures contain a high density of β-Sn structured inclusions at grain boundaries which assist densification. A variety of crystalline defects occur inside the rutile grains; the β-Sn inclusions contain nano-regions with severe lattice distortion. Through the formation of a highly conductive β-Sn phase, the carrier concentration and electrical conductivity were significantly enhanced, resulting in a ∼27% increase in power factor and much-improved ZT values of 0.20 at 873 K. Our approach based on grain boundary engineering provides a simple and eco-friendly route to enhance the thermoelectric performance of low-cost, oxide-based ceramics.
Keywords:
Thermoelectric, Rutile β-Sn, Grain boundary inclusions, Twin boundaries
Authors:
Xiaodong Liu, Jincheng Yu, Bing Wang, Krishnendu Maji, Diana T.Alvarez-Ruiz, Emmanuel Guilmeau, Robert Freer
Organisation / Department Address:
1. Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
2. CRISMAT, ENSICAEN, UNICAEN, Normandie Universite, CNRS, 14000 Caen, France
3. Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
