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Zhang Z, Gurtaran M, Dong H. Low-Cost Magnesium-Based Thermoelectric Materials: Progress, Challenges, and Enhancements. ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS 2024; 7:5629-5646. [PMID: 39055066 PMCID: PMC11267501 DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.4c00961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Magnesium-based thermoelectric (TE) materials have attracted considerable interest due to their high ZT values, coupled with their low cost, widespread availability, nontoxicity, and low density. In this review, we provide a succinct overview of the advances and strategies pertaining to the development of Mg-based materials aimed at enhancing their performance. Following this, we delve into the major challenges posed by the severe working conditions, such as high temperature and thermal cycling, which adversely impact the behavior and long-term stability of the TE modules. Challenges include issues like the lack of mechanical strength, chemical instability, and unreliable contact. Subsequently, we focus on the key methodologies aimed at addressing these challenges to facilitate the broader application of the TE modules. These include boosting the mechanical strength, especially the toughness, through grain refining and additions of second phases. Furthermore, strategies targeted at enhancing the chemical stability through coatings and modifying the microstructure, as well as improving the contact design and materials, are discussed. In the end, we highlight the perspectives for boosting the practical applications of Mg-based TE materials in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxue Zhang
- School of Metallurgy and
Materials, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Mikdat Gurtaran
- School of Metallurgy and
Materials, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Hanshan Dong
- School of Metallurgy and
Materials, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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2
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Yu L, Shi XL, Mao Y, Liu WD, Ji Z, Wei S, Zhang Z, Song W, Zheng S, Chen ZG. Simultaneously Boosting Thermoelectric and Mechanical Properties of n-Type Mg 3Sb 1.5Bi 0.5-Based Zintls through Energy-Band and Defect Engineering. ACS NANO 2024; 18:1678-1689. [PMID: 38164927 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Incorporating donor doping into Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5 to achieve n-type conductivity is one of the crucial strategies for performance enhancement. In pursuit of higher thermoelectric performance, we herein report co-doping with Te and Y to optimize the thermoelectric properties of Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5, achieving a peak ZT exceeding 1.7 at 703 K in Y0.01Mg3.19Sb1.5Bi0.47Te0.03. Guided by first-principles calculations for compositional design, we find that Te-doping shifts the Fermi level into the conduction band, resulting in n-type semiconductor behavior, while Y-doping further shifts the Fermi level into the conduction band and reduces the bandgap, leading to enhanced thermoelectric performance with a power factor as high as >20 μW cm-1 K-2. Additionally, through detailed micro/nanostructure characterizations, we discover that Te and Y co-doping induces dense crystal and lattice defects, including local lattice distortions and strains caused by point defects, and densely distributed grain boundaries between nanocrystalline domains. These defects efficiently scatter phonons of various wavelengths, resulting in a low thermal conductivity of 0.83 W m-1 K-1 and ultimately achieving a high ZT. Furthermore, the dense lattice defects induced by co-doping can further strengthen the mechanical performance, which is crucial for its service in devices. This work provides guidance for the composition and structure design of thermoelectric materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yu
- College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Lei Shi
- School of Chemistry and Physics, ARC Research Hub in Zero-emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality, and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Yuanqing Mao
- School of Chemistry and Physics, ARC Research Hub in Zero-emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality, and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
- School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Department of Physics and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Computational Science and Material Design, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Di Liu
- School of Chemistry and Physics, ARC Research Hub in Zero-emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality, and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Zhen Ji
- College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, People's Republic of China
| | - Sitong Wei
- College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, People's Republic of China
| | - Zipei Zhang
- College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiyu Song
- College of Science, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuqi Zheng
- College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Gang Chen
- School of Chemistry and Physics, ARC Research Hub in Zero-emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality, and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
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Liu Y, Geng Y, Dou Y, Wu X, Hu L, Liu F, Ao W, Zhang C. Mg Compensating Design in the Melting-Sintering Method For High-Performance Mg 3 (Bi, Sb) 2 Thermoelectric Devices. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2303840. [PMID: 37381087 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
N-type Mg3 (Bi, Sb)2 -based thermoelectric (TE) alloys show great promise for solid-state power generation and refrigeration, owing to their excellent figure-of-merit (ZT) and using cheap Mg. However, their rigorous preparation conditions and poor thermal stability limit their large-scale applications. Here, this work develops an Mg compensating strategy to realize n-type Mg3 (Bi, Sb)2 by a facile melting-sintering approach. "2D roadmaps" of TE parameters versus sintering temperature and time are plotted to understand the Mg-vacancy-formation and Mg-diffusion mechanisms. Under this guidance, high weight mobility of 347 cm2 V-1 s-1 and power factor of 34 µW cm-1 K-2 can be obtained for Mg3.05 Bi1.99 Te0.01 , and a peak ZT≈1.55 at 723 K and average ZT≈1.25 within 323-723 K can be obtained for Mg3.05 (Sb0.75 Bi0.25 )1.99 Te0.01 . Moreover, this Mg compensating strategy can also improve the interfacial connecting and thermal stability of corresponding Mg3 (Bi, Sb)2 /Fe TE legs. As a consequence, this work fabricates an 8-pair Mg3 Sb2 -GeTe-based power-generation device reaching an energy conversion efficiency of ≈5.0% at a temperature difference of 439 K, and a one-pair Mg3 Sb2 -Bi2 Te3 -based cooling device reaching -10.7 °C at the cold side. This work paves a facile way to obtain Mg3 Sb2 -based TE devices at low cost and also provides a guide to optimize the off-stoichiometric defects in other TE materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Liu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Deep Underground Sciences and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Yang Geng
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Deep Underground Sciences and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Yubo Dou
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Deep Underground Sciences and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Xuelian Wu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Deep Underground Sciences and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Lipeng Hu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Deep Underground Sciences and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Fusheng Liu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Deep Underground Sciences and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Weiqin Ao
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Deep Underground Sciences and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Chaohua Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Technology of Ceramics, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Deep Underground Sciences and Green Energy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
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Kumari N, Pai N, Chavan V, Sarkar A, Sarkar D, Biswas K, Samajdar I, Dasgupta T. Strained Lamellar Structures Leading to Improved Thermoelectric Performance in Mg 3Sb 1.5Bi 0.5. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:46995-47003. [PMID: 37773059 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c09988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Mg3Sb2-xBix solid-solutions represent an important class of thermoelectric (TE) materials due to their high efficiency and variable operating temperature range. Of particular significance for midtemperature applications is the Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5 composition whose superior thermoelectric (TE) performance is attributed to the complex conduction band edge in conjunction with alloy dominated phonon scattering. In this work, we show that microstructure also plays a significant role in lowering the lattice thermal conductivity which in turn affects the overall TE performance (change in peak zT values between 1.1 and 1.4 have been observed). Temperature dependent TE properties of Mg3+xSb1.5Bi0.5 compositions with varying nominal Mg content (x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) have been studied. A marked reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity (κL) is observed in compositions with low nominal Mg content (x = 0.2), which is due to the presence of lamellar structures within the grains. These lamellar regions are isostructural to the matrix with a low misfit angle and represent compositional fluctuations in the Bi to Sb ratio. Both the size (200 nm-500 nm) and the interfacial strain contribute to the enhanced phonon scattering. A quantitative estimate of κL reduction due to these structures have been carried out using a mean free path (MFP) spectrum analysis which reveal a good match with experiments at room temperature. Further, the electrical properties are not influenced by these lamellar structures as observed from the similar power-factor (S2σ) and weighted mobilities in all of the compositions. This is due to their similar orientation to the adjacent matrix region. Thus, the zT parameter in the various compositions with similar carrier concentration can be significantly altered (∼25%) by adjusting the nominal Mg content. The results demonstrate that preferential phonon scattering by microstructure modification can be a new route for property improvement in Mg3+xSb2-yBiy solid-solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirma Kumari
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Namit Pai
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Vikram Chavan
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Arnab Sarkar
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Debattam Sarkar
- New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Kanishka Biswas
- New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Indradev Samajdar
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Titas Dasgupta
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
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Zhang P, Qin M, Zhang Z, Jin D, Liu Y, Wang Z, Lu Z, Shi J, Xiong R. Accessing the thermal conductivities of Sb 2Te 3 and Bi 2Te 3/Sb 2Te 3 superlattices by molecular dynamics simulations with a deep neural network potential. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:6164-6174. [PMID: 36752176 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp05590b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Phonon thermal transport is a key feature for the operation of thermoelectric materials, but it is challenging to accurately calculate the thermal conductivity of materials with strong anharmonicity or large cells. In this work, a deep neural network potential (NNP) is developed using a dataset based on density functional theory (DFT) and applied to describe the lattice dynamics of Sb2Te3 and Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 superlattices. The lattice thermal conductivities of Sb2Te3 are first predicted using equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD) simulations combined with an NNP and the results match well with experimental values. Then, through further exploration of weighted phase spaces and the Grüneisen parameter, we find that there is a stronger anharmonicity in the out-of-plane direction in Sb2Te3, which is the reason why the thermal conductivities are overestimated more in the out-of-plane direction than in the in-plane direction by solving the phonon Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) with only three-phonon scattering processes being considered. More importantly, the lattice thermal conductivities of Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 superlattices with different periods are accurately predicted using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations together with an NNP, which serves as a good example to explore the thermal transport physics of superlattices using a deep neural network potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Mi Qin
- Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- School of Materials and Metallurgy, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ziyu Wang
- Suzhou Institute of Wuhan University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihong Lu
- School of Materials and Metallurgy, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Shi
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Rui Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
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Zhang J, Jørgensen LR, Song L, Iversen BB. Insight into the Strategies for Improving the Thermal Stability of Efficient N-Type Mg 3Sb 2-Based Thermoelectric Materials. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:31024-31034. [PMID: 35776768 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c07457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
N-type Mg3(Sb,Bi)2 compounds have recently been demonstrated as promising low-cost efficient thermoelectric materials in low and intermediate temperature ranges; however, the thermal stability of this type of material still poses a great challenge for practical applications. In this work, we conduct a systematic investigation of the thermal stability of several high-performing n-type Mg3(Sb,Bi)2-based thermoelectric materials in both bulk and powdered forms using X-ray and neutron diffraction. It is found that the bulk sample exhibits a much slower degradation rate based on the evolution of the secondary Bi/Sb phase in comparison with the powdered sample, revealing a clear kinetic effect. Moreover, the surface of the bulk sample will gradually become Mg-poor or Bi-rich even at room temperature when exposed to air for a long time, highlighting the importance of surface encapsulation for applications. An underlying mechanism based on the Mg loss/migration is proposed to account for the property degradation. Importantly, to address the property degradation, we discuss possible solutions and propose Mg-vapor annealing as an effective approach to enhance thermal stability by suppressing the Mg loss/migration through saturating grains and grain boundaries with elemental Mg. We expect a combination of the Mg-vapor annealing and surface coating to further improve the long-term thermal stability. This work sheds light on the strategies for enhancing the long-term stability of n-type Mg3Sb2-based thermoelectrics for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Zhang
- Center for Integrated Materials Research, Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lasse Rabøl Jørgensen
- Center for Integrated Materials Research, Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lirong Song
- Center for Integrated Materials Research, Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bo Brummerstedt Iversen
- Center for Integrated Materials Research, Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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