Oxide-Based Thermoelectric Generator for High-Temperature Application Using p-Type Ca3Co4O9 and n-Type In1.95Sn0.05O3 Legs

authored by: Michael Bittner, Benjamin Geppert, Nikola Kanas, Sathya Prakash Singh, Kjell Wiik, Armin Feldhoff
Abstract: A thermoelectric generator couples an entropy current with an electrical current in a way, that thermal energy is transformed to electrical energy. Hereby the thermoelectric energy conversion can be described in terms of fluxes of entropy and electric charge at locally different temperature and electric potential. Crucial for the function of a thermoelectric generator is the sign and strength of the coupling between the entropy current and the electrical current in the thermoelectric materials. For high-temperature application, tin-doped indium oxide (In1.95Sn0.05O3) and misfit-layered calcium cobalt oxide (Ca3Co4O9) ceramics were used as n- and p-type legs. The n-type material reaches a power factor of 6.8μW·cm-1·K-2 at 1,073 K and a figure of merit ZT of 0.07. The p-type material reaches 1.23μW·cm-1·K-2 and a figure of merit ZT of 0.21 at 1,073 K. A thermoelectric generator consisting of ten legs was characterized for different invested temperatures. It delivers 4.8 mW maximum power output and a electrical power density of 2.13mW×cm-2 when the hot side is at 1,073 K and a temperature difference of 113 K is applied.
Organisation(s): Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry
External Organisation(s): Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Type: Article
Journal: Energy Harvesting and Systems - Materials, Mechanisms, Circuits and Storage (Print)
Volume: 3
Pages: 213-222
No. of pages: 10
ISSN: 2329-8774
Publication date: 01.08.2016
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Energy Engineering and Power Technology, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Electrochemistry, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1515/ehs-2016-0002 (Access: Closed)