Accession Number:

ADA327170

Title:

Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 Superlattice Structures for High-ZT Thermoelectric Cooling Devices.

Descriptive Note:

Annual rept.,

Corporate Author:

RESEARCH TRIANGLE INST RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK NC

Personal Author(s):

• Venkatasubramanian, Rama

Report Date:

1997-07-07

Pagination or Media Count:

9.0

Abstract:

The goal of this project is to demonstrate factorial improvement in the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT with thin film Bi2Te3Sb2Te3 superlattice SL structures compared to state of the art bulk Bi2-xSbxTe3 alloys for high performance thermoelectric devices. The motivation for the use of SL structures has been the hypothesis that the atomic size and mass differences at the SL interfaces as well as the periodic SL structure result in enhanced phonon scattering leading to a reduction in lattice thermal conductivity. The SL structures, consisting of pure Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3 materials, are also expected to offer higher electrical conductivities compared to alloyed materials through reduced alloy scattering of carriers and therefore larger carrier mobilities. With a successful demonstration of the enhancement in the thermoelectric properties of the Bi2Te3Sb2Te3 SL structures, another objective would be to address specific issues related to the development of a viable thin film thermoelectric device technology.

Descriptors:

• *SUPERLATTICES
• *THERMOELECTRICITY
• *BISMUTH TELLURIDES
• SCATTERING
• THIN FILMS
• CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION
• ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY
• PHONONS
• HYPOTHESES
• FIGURE OF MERIT
• CARRIER MOBILITY
• THERMOELECTRIC COOLING
• ANTIMONY COMPOUNDS

Subject Categories:

• Crystallography
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Air Conditioning, Heating, Lighting and Ventilating

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE