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Thermoelectric nanowires for dense 3D printed architectures
Danwei Zhang1, Jayanthi Ramiah1,2, Mehmet Cagirici3
1Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138634. zhang_danwei@imre.a-star.edu.sg.
Materials Horizons
|December 1, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a novel binder-less and sintering aid-free ink for 3D printing inorganic thermoelectrics. This breakthrough enhances thermoelectric device efficiency and enables advanced material engineering for wider adoption.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Additive Manufacturing
- Thermoelectrics
Background:
- 3D printed inorganic thermoelectrics face efficiency limitations due to poor densification.
- Direct-ink writing requires high binder content, hindering density and performance.
- Conventional methods for dense thermoelectrics are often energy-intensive and less versatile.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overcome the densification challenge in 3D printed thermoelectrics.
- To develop a binder-less and sintering aid-free ink system.
- To enhance the efficiency and enable new engineering possibilities for 3D printed thermoelectrics.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of a thermoelectric nanowire ink system without binders or sintering aids.
- Utilizing direct-ink writing for fabricating thermoelectric structures.
- Characterization of printed part density and thermoelectric properties.
Main Results:
- Achieved dense thermoelectric structures with up to 82.5% theoretical density.
- Demonstrated a binder-less and sintering aid-free approach for high-density printing.
- Obtained a high filler-derived density index (FDI) of 2.51.
- Enabled tunable control over density and thermoelectric efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The proposed ink system resolves low densification issues in 3D printed thermoelectrics.
- This advancement significantly enhances thermoelectric material efficiency.
- The method unlocks possibilities for anisotropic engineering in 3D printed thermoelectrics, paving the way for broader applications.
