Thermoelectric materials, which convert waste heat into electricity, are a potential avenue toward alleviating the current energy crisis. Tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13) is a thermoelectric material typically produced by time and energy inefficient solid-state methods. We developed a bottom-up modified polyol synthesis to produce high yields of nanostructured and phase-pure tetrahedrite materials with one hour of heating at 220°C. Nanoparticles were characterized by powder x-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Thermopower, electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity measurements produced figure of merit (ZT) values, which describe the efficiency of energy conversion. Our solution-phase synthesis successfully incorporates a wide variety of dopants, including Zn, Fe, Ni and Co on the copper-site, as well as Se on the sulfur-site. These nanopowders have showed improved ZT values relative to compounds fabricated by conventional solid-state methods. Doping Mn and Ag on the copper-site, Bi and Te on the antimony-site, and Se and Te on the sulfur-site is currently underway. Toward integration of these materials into relevant applications, it is necessary to investigate the thermostability of the tetrahedrite materials. Thermostability data as a function of dopant identity and concentration is underway by characterization with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis.

Thermoelectric characterization and thermostability of doped-tetrahedrite nanoparticles synthesized by modifed polyol process

2019 Spring National Meeting

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