Efficient and sustainable approaches for energy generation are essential due to the climate crisis and the arising energy demand worldwide. In this context, thermoelectric materials offer a unique opportunity to convert waste heat into electricity. However, the conversion efficiency of commercially available thermoelectric devices is estimated to be around 6 %. Therefore, a significant amount of research is focused on the development of novel thermoelectric materials with enhanced performance. In this way, ‘soft chemistry’ and ‘fast chemistry’ routes for the preparation of thermoelectric materials are a very attractive alternative to the traditional ceramic method. The advantages derived from these synthetic pathways are the achievement of more homogeneous and pure samples, the improved control of particle size and morphology and the reduction of the energy consumption. Herein, the improved figure of merit achieved by means of alternative synthetic routes is reported for different thermoelectric materials from the classical Bi2Te3 synthesized by ball-milling to novel filled skutterudites prepared by high pressure methods. Furthermore, different tin chalcogenides: SnQ (Q = S, Se, Te) and Sn1-x MxQ (M = Na, K, Bi, transition metal), were synthesized by means of solid-state reactions using ball-milling and by microwave mediated hydrothermal processes. Synthesis details, microstructural characterization (by means of X-ray and neutron diffraction, HRTEM and SEM) and thermoelectric properties of these materials will be presented in this communication.

Alternative routes for the rapid and effective synthesis of thermoelectric materials

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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