Thermoelectric property enhancement via pore confinement in template grown bismuth telluride nanowire arrays.

Title Thermoelectric property enhancement via pore confinement in template grown bismuth telluride nanowire arrays.
Authors R.D. Reeves; L.A. Crosser; G.E. Chester; J.J. Hill
Journal Nanotechnology
DOI 10.1088/1361-6528/aa9733
Abstract

Nanostructuring of thermoelectric materials can lead to thermal-to-electrical conversion efficiencies comparable with mechanical energy conversion. Theory predicts that characteristic length scales of <10 nm are necessary to achieve high thermoelectric figures of merit (zT > 3). While sub-10 nm diameter nanowire arrays have been difficult to fabricate, we present here a novel template for sub-10 nm thermoelectric nanowire array fabrication using anodized aluminum oxide followed by silica wall coating for pore confinement. Electrodeposited bismuth telluride nanowires displayed increasing electrical-to-thermal conductivity ratio as the pore diameter decreased, in agreement with theoretical predictions. Achieving the desired stoichiometric ratio of Bi2Te3 through electrodeposition was non-trivial, which limited the Seebeck coefficient of the nanowires. However, hydrolysis of the nanopore walls led to improved electrodeposition, achieving near stoichiometric bismuth-to-tellurium ratios and ultimately p-type thermoelectric nanowire arrays with a Seebeck coefficient of up to 79 ?V K-1.

Citation R.D. Reeves; L.A. Crosser; G.E. Chester; J.J. Hill.Thermoelectric property enhancement via pore confinement in template grown bismuth telluride nanowire arrays.. Nanotechnology. 2017;28(50):505401. doi:10.1088/1361-6528/aa9733

Related Elements

Bismuth

83 Bi 208.980400000 Bismuth

See more Bismuth products. Bismuth (atomic symbol: Bi, atomic number: 83) is a Block P, Group 15, Period 6 element with an atomic radius of 208.98040. The number of electrons in each of Bismuth's shells is 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 5 and its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3. Bismuth Bohr ModelThe bismuth atom has a radius of 156 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 207 pm. In its elemental form, bismuth is a silvery white brittle metal. Bismuth is the most diamagnetic of all metals and, with the exception of mercury, its thermal conductivity is lower than any other metal. Elemental BismuthBismuth has a high electrical resistance, and has the highest Hall Effect of any metal (i.e., greatest increase in electrical resistance when placed in a magnetic field). Bismuth is found in bismuthinite and bismite. It is also produced as a byproduct of lead, copper, tin, molybdenum and tungsten extraction. Bismuth was first discovered by Early Man. The name Bismuth originates from the German word 'wissmuth,' meaning white mass.

Tellurium

52 Te 127.600000000 Tellurium

See more Tellurium products. Tellurium (atomic symbol: Te, atomic number: 52) is a Block P, Group 16, Period 5 element with an atomic radius of 127.60. Tellurium Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of tellurium's shells is 2, 8, 18, 18, 6 and its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p4. Tellurium was discovered by Franz Muller von Reichenstein in 1782 and first isolated by Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1798. In its elemental form, tellurium has a silvery lustrous gray appearance. The tellurium atom has a radius of 140 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 206 pm. Elemental TelluriumTellurium is most commonly sourced from the anode sludges produced as a byproduct of copper refining. The name Tellurium originates from the Greek word Tellus, meaning Earth.

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Nanomaterials Tellurides
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