Abstract

Transverse thermoelectric materials can achieve appreciable cooling power with minimal space requirement. Among all types of material candidates for transverse thermoelectric applications, composite materials have the best cooling performance. In this study, anisotropic material properties were applied to the component phase of transverse thermoelectric composites. A mathematical model was established for predicting the performance of fibrous transverse thermoelectric composites with anisotropic components. The mathematical model was then validated by finite element analysis. The thermoelectric performance of three types of composites are presented, each with the same set of component materials. For each type of component, both anisotropic single-crystal and isotropic polycrystal material properties were applied. The results showed that the cooling capacity of the system was improved by introducing material anisotropy in the component phase of composite. The results also indicated that the orientation of the anisotropic component’s property axis, the anisotropic characteristic of a material, will significantly influence the thermoelectric performance of the composite. For a composite material consisting of Copper fiber and Bi2Te3 matrix, the maximum cooling capacity can vary as much as 50% at 300 K depending on the property axis alignment of Bi2Te3 in the composite. The composite with Copper and anisotropic SnSe single crystal had a 51% improvement in the maximum cooling capacity compared to the composite made of Copper and isotropic SnSe polycrystals.

Highlights

  • Anisotropic material properties were applied into the component phase of layered transverse thermoelectric composites, and the results showed that the maximum Ztrans T could be improved by introducing material anisotropy in a polycrystal [21]

  • This study investigated the transverse thermoelectric properties of fibrous composites with anisotropic component materials

  • A mathematical model was built for predicting the transverse thermoelectric figure of merit (Ztrans T) and maximum cooling capacity (∆Tmax ) of the composite

Read more

Summary

Introduction of Material Anisotropy in Transverse

Key Laboratory of Traffic Safety on Track, Ministry of Education, School of Traffic and Transportation. Joint International Research Laboratory of Key Technology for Rail Traffic Safety, School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China. National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Safety Technology for Rail Vehicle, School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China

Introduction
Findings
Conclusions
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call