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Optimizing Thermoelectric Efficiency of La3-xTe4 with Calcium Metal Substitution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 January 2013

Samantha M. Clarke
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, U.S.A. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90092, U.S.A.
James M. Ma
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, U.S.A. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90092, U.S.A.
C.-K. Huang
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, U.S.A.
Paul A. von Allmen
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, U.S.A.
Trinh Vo
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, U.S.A.
Richard B. Kaner
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90092, U.S.A. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90092, U.S.A.
Sabah K. Bux
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, U.S.A.
Jean-Pierre Fleurial
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, U.S.A.
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Abstract

La3-xTe4 is a state-of-the-art high temperature n-type thermoelectric material with a previously reported maximum zT∼1.1 at 1273 K. Computational modeling suggests the La atoms play a crucial role in defining the density of states for La3-xTe4 in the conduction band. In addition to controlling charge carrier concentration, substitution with Ca2+ atoms on the La3+ site is explored as a potential means to tune the density of states and result in larger Seebeck coefficients. High purity, oxide-free samples are produced by ball milling of the elements and consolidated by spark plasma sintering. Powder XRD and electron microprobe analysis are used to characterize the material. High temperature thermoelectric properties are reported and compared with La3-xTe4 compositions. A maximum zT of 1.3 is reached at 1273 K for the composition La2.22Ca0.775Te4.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013 

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References

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