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Rb(Zn,Cu)4As3 as a New High-Efficiency Thermoelectric Material
Keigo Ono1,2, Kunihiro Kihou1, Hidetomo Usui3
1National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan.
ACS Omega
|November 29, 2023
Summary
This study explores RbZn4-xCuxAs3 thermoelectric materials, achieving a peak ZT of 0.53. These 143-Zintl compounds show promise as novel high-performance thermoelectric materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid State Chemistry
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Thermoelectric materials convert heat to electricity, crucial for energy harvesting.
- Developing efficient thermoelectric materials requires optimizing electrical and thermal transport properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the thermoelectric performance of RbZn4-xCuxAs3 compounds.
- Explore the potential of 143-Zintl compounds as a new class of thermoelectric materials.
Main Methods:
- Solid-state reactions and hot pressing for sample synthesis.
- Copper doping to tune charge carrier concentration.
- Neutron diffraction analysis to understand atomic vibrations.
Main Results:
- Copper doping increased the power factor to 0.52 mW/mK² at 797 K.
- Low lattice thermal conductivity of 1.61 W/mK at 312 K, attributed to Rb atom vibrations.
- Maximum dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) of 0.53 at 797 K, the highest for 143-Zintl compounds.
Conclusions:
- RbZn4-xCuxAs3 exhibits promising thermoelectric properties.
- The 143-Zintl structure is a viable platform for high-performance thermoelectric materials.
