Bi₂Te₃-Based Thermoelectric Modules for Efficient and Reliable Low-Grade Heat Recovery

Bismuth-telluride-based alloy has long been considered as the most promising candidate for low-grade waste heat power generation. However, optimizing the thermoelectric performance of n-type Bi₂Te₃ is more challenging than that of p-type counterparts due to its greater sensitivity to texture, and thus limits the advancement of thermoelectric modules. Herein, the thermoelectric performance of n-type Bi₂Te₃ is enhanced by incorporating a small amount of CuGaTe₂, resulting in a peak ZT of 1.25 and a distinguished average ZT of 1.02 (300-500 K). The decomposed Cu⁺ strengthens interlayer interaction, while Ga⁺ optimizes carrier concentration within an appropriate range. Simultaneously, the emerged numerous defects, such as small-angle grain boundaries, twin boundaries, and dislocations, significantly suppresses the lattice thermal conductivity. Based on the size optimization by finite element modelling, the constructed thermoelectric module yields a high conversion efficiency of 6.9% and output power density of 0.31 W cm^-2 under a temperature gradient of 200 K. Even more crucially, the efficiency and output power little loss after subjecting the module to 40 thermal cycles lasting for 6 days. This study demonstrates the efficient and reliable Bi₂Te₃-based thermoelectric modules for broad applications in low-grade heat harvest.