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MA: Fachverband Magnetismus
MA 26: Focus Session: Unconventional Thermoelectric Phenomena and Materials (joint session MA/TT)
MA 26.5: Invited Talk
Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 17:15–17:45, H 1058
A path to suistainable and scalable production of high-performance thermoelectric materials — •Maria Ibáñez — Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, Klosrterneuburg, Austria
Over the past few years, there has been a significant surge in interest surrounding solution-based techniques due to their cost-effectiveness and scalability in the production of high-performance thermoelectric materials. Herein, our primary focus will be on Ag2Se, an important thermoelectric material for harnessing thermoelectricity at or near room temperature, an area where the selection of high-performing materials is currently limited. While Ag2Se shows great promise, the main problems are the large discrepancy in the reported properties. These discrepancies often stem from the intricate control of defects within the material, such as vacancies, interstitial atoms, dislocations, grain boundaries, and precipitates. We will show that our solution-based synthesis method enables precise defect control, especially avoiding fluctuations in stoichiometry. Additionally, we will illustrate how we can fine-tune microstructural defects, including strain, dislocations, and grain boundary density, leveraging the characteristic phase transition of Ag2Se during the sintering process. Our results will highlight that besides stoichiometry, the microstructure is crucial for tuning Ag2Se transport properties. Furthermore, we will highlight the sustainability and scalability of our approach, where solvents can be reused and energy consumption minimized, contributing to a more environmentally friendly production process.
Keywords: Solution processing; defects; nanoparticles; polycrystalline