Chapter 9 - Synthesis and Processing of Thermoelectric Nanomaterials, Nanocomposites, and Devices

Abstract

Inorganic and organic thermoelectric (TE) materials have received an extensive scientific interest during the last decades, due to their ability to directly convert the thermal energy to electricity. This is described by the well-known “Seebeck effect.” TE materials can convert also electricity into cooling through the “Peltier effect.” Therefore, TE materials and thermoelectric generator (TEG) devices made thereof can be utilized for potential applications including (1) thermal energy harvesting, (2) local cooling, and (3) temperature sensing. The direct conversion of heat into electricity has been one of the most attractive solutions to the severe environmental and energy issues that humanity is facing. This chapter covers the fundamental working principles of TE materials, the synthetic protocols for inorganic and organic TE materials, techniques and technologies for the fabrication of TEGs (otherwise known as TE module devices), and a number of applications. Finally, future aspects and outlooks for further advancements at the “material” or “device” level are described.