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Thermoelectric Properties of p-Type Skutterudite Nanocomposites

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Nanoscale Thermoelectrics

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Nanoscale Science and Technology ((LNNST,volume 16))

Abstract

Skutterudite is a new family of compounds identified to be a promising candidate for thermoelectric applications. Since the early 1990s, skutterudite-based materials have undergone substantial technological development, making its way to the next generation of thermoelectric devices for power generation and waste heat recovery. Nanostructuring is one approach that could enable significant improvements in thermoelectric performance by reducing the thermal conductivity while maintaining the electronic properties. In this chapter, we present progress towards realizing the potential of bulk skutterudites utilizing low dimensionality and nanostructures with an emphasis on p-type skutterudites. We summarized the synthetic approaches used to create skutterudite nanocomposites, namely, ball milling, melt spinning, in situ formation, high-pressure torsion, and solvothermal and hydrothermal synthesis. The effect of nanostructuring on the thermal and electron transport is also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MEDA Engineering and Technical Services, LLC., 17515 W. Nine Mile Road, Suite 1075, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA

    Chen Zhou

  2. State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, 066004, China

    Long Zhang

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA

    Jeffrey Sakamoto

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  1. Engineering Research Center for Semiconductor Integrated Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China

    Xiaodong Wang

  2. Engineering Research Center for Semiconductor Integrated Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China

    Zhiming M. Wang

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Zhou, C., Zhang, L., Sakamoto, J. (2014). Thermoelectric Properties of p-Type Skutterudite Nanocomposites. In: Wang, X., Wang, Z. (eds) Nanoscale Thermoelectrics. Lecture Notes in Nanoscale Science and Technology, vol 16. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02012-9_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02012-9_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-02011-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-02012-9

  • eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)

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