Dresden 2011 – scientific programme

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HL: Fachverband Halbleiterphysik

HL 25: Transport

HL 25.3: Talk

Monday, March 14, 2011, 16:15–16:30, POT 151

Modification of the functional and mechanical properties of Lead Telluride for thermoelectric energy conversion — •Andreas Schmitz, Peter Schorn, and Eckhard Müller — Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V., Institut für Werkstoff-Forschung, Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln

Thermoelectric Generators are solid state devices using the Seebeck effect to transform heat differences straight into electricity. Lead telluride is a classical candidate material for thermoelectric conversion in a middle temperature range (250 to 550 °C) and has been used in thermoelectric generator applications for many years. Still the disad*vantageous mechanical properties implicate difficulties for module production and application such as automotive waste heat recovery.

The manufacturing of thermoelectric elements from powders by hot pressing and consecutive pressureless annealing of PbTe leads to a shift of the thermoelectric properties and improved mechanical properties of the material compared to cast PbTe.

Doping is used to optimize the thermoelectric properties of PbTe but may also have an effect on the material*s mechanical properties. Especially doping with acceptor elements has resulted in an increased brittleness of the compound.

In this study the simultaneous effect of doping on the thermoelectric and mechanical properties of sintered PbTe has been studied with a focus on improving mechanical stability and ductility.