Direct measurement of the thermoelectric properties of electrochemically deposited Bi2Te3 thin films

Abstract

The best known thermoelectric material for near room temperature heat-to-electricity conversion is bismuth telluride. Amongst the possible fabrication techniques, electrodeposition has attracted attention due to its simplicity and low cost. However, the measurement of the thermoelectric properties of electrodeposited films is challenging because of the conducting seed layer underneath the film. Here, we develop a method to directly measure the thermoelectric properties of electrodeposited bismuth telluride thin films, grown on indium tin oxide. Using this technique, the temperature dependent thermoelectric properties (Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity) of electrodeposited thin films have been measured down to 100 K. A parallel resistor model is employed to discern the signal of the film from the signal of the seed layer and the data are carefully analysed and contextualized with literature. Our analysis demonstrates that the thermoelectric properties of electrodeposited films can be accurately evaluated without inflicting any damage to the films.

Preparation and Characterization of Screen-Printed Cu2S/PEDOT:PSS Hybrid Films for Flexible Thermoelectric Power Generator

“…For example, KUNIHISA et al [ 15 ] reported Bi 0.4 Te 3.0 Sb 1.6 films by spin-coating. The ZT of the films was 0.2 at 300 K. Pawan et al [ 16 ] reported Bi 2 Te 3 thin films by electrochemically deposited. The S of the film could be −20 μV·K −1 .…”

A Systematic Approach for Semiconductor Half-Heusler

“…This characteristic opens vast possibilities for optimizing TE efficiency in designing materials and bandgaps. However, materials (such as Te and Pb) used to make high performance chalcogenides and skutterudites thermoelectrics can be costly and environmentally toxic (Zevalkink et al, 2011;Mulla and Rabinal 2018;Recatala-Gomez et al, 2020;Suwardi et al, 2020;Zheng et al, 2021). Furthermore, thermoelectric materials can be thermally unstable above room temperature and tends to form secondary phases due to interface instability.…”

Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties of Composites Prepared With Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) Poly(Styrenesulfonate) and Vertically Aligned Se Wire

“…Various methods have been used to synthesize nanophase inorganic TEs, for example, methods using microwaves ( Wang et al, 2017 ), the hydrothermal synthesis method ( Li et al, 2019 ), and the electrochemical method ( Recatala-Gomez et al, 2020 ). Among these methods, the galvanic displacement reaction (GDR) offers several advantages, including low synthesis cost and easy reaction conditions ( Xin et al, 2021 ).…”