Fully 3D Printed Tin Selenide (SnSe) Thermoelectric Generators with Alternating n-Type and p-Type Legs

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Solid State Physics
• Energy Conversion

Background:

• Tin selenide (SnSe) shows high thermoelectric potential with record figure of merit (zT) values.
• Efficient thermoelectric generators require both p-type and n-type materials, but n-type SnSe research is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a fabrication method for n-type tin selenide (SnSe) materials.
• To create a fully printed thermoelectric generator using both n-type and p-type SnSe.

Main Methods:

• A pseudo-3D-printing technique was employed to fabricate bulk n-type SnSe.
• Bismuth (Bi) was used as a dopant, with various doping levels investigated.
• Characterization was performed over a wide temperature range and multiple thermal cycles.

Main Results:

• Stable n-type SnSe elements were successfully fabricated using the pseudo-3D-printing method.
• A fully printed thermoelectric generator alternating n-type and p-type SnSe was assembled.
• The fabricated generator produced 145 μW of power at 774 K.

Conclusions:

• The pseudo-3D-printing technique is effective for producing n-type SnSe.
• This method facilitates the creation of integrated n- and p-type SnSe thermoelectric devices.
• The demonstrated power output highlights the potential of printed SnSe for thermoelectric applications.