Performance of Segmented Thermoelectric Elements Fabricated by Simultaneous Sintering Method

It is very effective for achieving high efficiency of energy conversion to give large temperature gap to both ends of a thermoelectric element or a module. In order to realizing that, the segmented thermoelectric module that consists of the multi-layered thermoelectric materials has become the focus of attention. The segmented n-type Co_0.92Ni_0.08Sb_2.96Te _0.04/composite/Bi₂Te₃ and p-type AgSbTe ₂/Sb₂Te₃/Bi_0.4Sb_1.6 Te₃ thermoelectric elements were respectively fabricated by a simultaneous sintering method with a pulse discharge sintering (PDS) equipment. An n-type composite material of Co_0.92 Ni_0.08Sb_2.96Te_0.04 and Bi₂ Te₃ was used as the intermediate-layer. It is confirmed that the multi-layered structure improved the thermoelectric performance in both n-type and p-type elements. The results were also compared with the values simulated by solving an unsteady one-dimensional equation of heat conduction based on the measured thermoelectric properties of each material. Furthermore, the p-type and n-type segmented elements were connected for fabricating thermoelectric modules. Improvement of thermoelectric performance in the modules was also confirmed