Sodium Cobaltate Engineered with Alkaline Earth Metal Doping for Waste Energy Harvesting; a Theoretical Study

Abstract

We present a brief overview of the benefits of high performance thermoelectric sodium cobaltate. We then propose, through theoretical analysis, a method for pushing the thermoelectric conversation efficiency to a higher boundary. According to the first principles calculations, doping sodium cobaltate with alkaline earth metals results in improved electrical conductivity without any significant adverse effects on the other important factors of the thermoelectric performance. The results contribute towards design and synthesis of commercially feasible and highly efficient thermoelectric materials to harvest waste heat discharged from exhausts.