Achieving high thermoelectric conversion efficiency in BiTe-based stepwise legs through bandgap tuning and chemical potential engineering.

In this study, we show that the energy conversion efficiency in thermoelectric (TE) devices can be effectively improved through simultaneous optimization of carrier concentration, bandgap tuning, and fabrication of stepwise legs. - and -type BiTe-based materials were selected as examples for testing the proposed approach. At first, the Boltzmann transport theory was employed to predict the optimal temperature-dependent carrier concentration for high thermoelectric performance over a broad temperature range.

μm- and nm-Sized Catalytic Structures in Heat Sources for Thermoelectric Generators.

Micro- and nano-structural organization and its influence on the efficiency of catalysts used in the heat sources for permeable thermoelectric generators were investigated. Two types of catalyst were studied–elemental platinum on aluminum oxide granulate Pt/Al₂O₃ and mixed transition-metal catalyst on fibrous silicon dioxide Co–Cr–Pd–Sr/SiO₂. The distribution of active components in catalytic structures which contribute to the maximum combustion completeness of organic fuel in heat sources was investigated.