Oxide materials for high temperature thermoelectric energy conversion

Abstract

Thermoelectric energy conversion can be used to capture electric power from waste heat in a variety of applications. The materials that have been shown to have the best thermoelectric properties are compounds containing elements such as tellurium and antimony. These compounds can be oxidized if exposed to the high temperature air that may be present in heat recovery applications. Oxide materials have better stability in oxidizing environments, so their use enables the fabrication of more durable devices. Thus, although the thermoelectric properties of oxides are inferior to those of the compounds mentioned above, their superior stability may expand potential the high temperature application of thermoelectric energy conversion. In this paper, the thermoelectric properties of promising oxide materials are reviewed. The different types of oxides used for thermoelectric applications are compared and approaches for improving performance through doping are discussed.