Anisotropic Thermal Properties Research Articles

Optical tunability with superlattice hyperbolic metamaterial coatings

Optical tunability is demonstrated with multi-metal hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM) structures on varying substrate surfaces. A systematic uniaxial modeling methodology is adapted from classical approaches to extract the anisotropic permittivity of the films to identify epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) behavior over a wide range of metal volume fractions (φ). The anisotropic model accuracy is quantified by a mean squared error (MSE) with the presented modeling routine resulting in a MSE < 35 for all samples. The optical model thicknesses were verified with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and measurements. This study also demonstrates the ability to tune the optical responses in the visible-to-infrared frequencies with surface microtexturing and applied strain with HMM coatings on flexible Kapton substrates. Furthermore, the structured films and modeling procedure lay the groundwork for future studies on coupling the anisotropic optical and thermal properties for control over advanced multifunctional thin-film coatings.

Vertically aligned carbon fiber/polydimethylsiloxane composites prepared by lyophilization with exceptional thermal conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding performance

Composites with high thermal conductivity and exceptional electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties are crucial for ensuring the long-term stability of electronic devices. One-dimensional carbon fibers (CFs) stand out as promising materials due to their excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. However, the anisotropic nature of CFs limits the overall electrical and thermal conductivity of the composite, thus impeding its practical application. To address this limitation, we investigated the effect of different freezing methods on CF orientation using the ice template method. Subsequently, CF-150/PDMS and CF-250/PDMS composites with varying average lengths of CFs were prepared using the unidirectional freezing technique. We studied the influence of CF content and average length on the anisotropic thermal conductivity and EMI shielding properties of the composites. The CF-250/PDMS composite, with a CF content of 15.71 vol%, exhibits a remarkable thermal conductivity of 9.07 W·m−1·K−1 and a low thermal resistance of 2.61 °C·cm2‧W−1. The thermal conductive mechanism of CF/PDMS composites was simulated by thermal conduction model and finite element analysis. Furthermore, it demonstrates longitudinal electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) reaches up to 39.66 dB, while the transverse EMI SE reaches up to 52.55 dB. The vertically aligned CF/PDMS composites exhibit significant potential for a range of applications in thermal management and EMI shielding.

Ice templated honeycomb-like porous copper foam to improve the anisotropic thermal transfer property of phase change composites

This study explores the use of copper foam (CF) as a thermally conductive scaffold for phase change materials (PCMs), enhancing shape stability. Employing the ice template method (ITM), we fabricate a CF with a low-density, honeycomb structure and anisotropy from flake copper powders. The resulting phase change composites (PCCs), infused with paraffin wax (PW), showcase high thermal conductivity and shape retention compared to pure PW, with anisotropic heat flow due to directional channels in the CF. With a 34.4 wt% filling ratio, the PCCs achieve axial and lateral thermal conductivities of 2.85 W m−1 K−1 and 1.51 W m−1 K−1, respectively, and a thermal storage enthalpy of 158.18 J g−1. This work presents a novel method for advanced thermal energy storage and management, indicating the promise of ITM-derived CF in high-performance PCCs for diverse applications.

Unraveling High Thermal Conductivity with In-Plane Anisotropy Observed in Suspended SiP2.

The anisotropic thermal transport properties of low-symmetry two-dimensional materials play an important role in understanding heat dissipation and optimizing thermal management in integrated devices. Examples of efficient energy dissipation and enhanced power sustainability have been demonstrated in nanodevices based on materials with anisotropic thermal transport properties. However, the exploration of materials with high thermal conductivity and strong in-plane anisotropy remains challenging. Herein, we demonstrate the observation of anisotropic in-plane thermal conductivities of few-layer SiP2 based on the micro-Raman thermometry method. For suspended SiP2 nanoflake, the thermal conductivity parallel to P-P chain direction (κ∥b) can reach 131 W m-1 K-1 and perpendicular to P-P chain direction (κ⊥b) is 89 W m-1 K-1 at room temperature, resulting in a significant anisotropic ratio (κ∥b/κ⊥b) of 1.47. Note that such a large anisotropic ratio mainly results from the higher phonon group velocity along the P-P chain direction. We also found that the thermal conductivity can be effectively modulated by increasing the SiP2 thickness, reaching a value as high as 202 W m-1 K-1 (120 W m-1 K-1) for κ∥b (κ⊥b) at 111 nm thickness, which is the highest among layered anisotropic phosphide materials. Notably, the anisotropic ratio always remains at a high level between 1.47 and 1.68, regardless of the variation of SiP2 thickness. Our observation provides a new platform to verify the fundamental theory of thermal transport and a crucial guidance for designing efficient thermal management schemes of anisotropic electronic devices.

Numerical analysis of thermal and mechanical characteristics with property maps in complex semiconductor package designs

As semiconductor performance improves through advanced package designs, it becomes important to consider both thermal and mechanical properties. Better understanding their relationship enhances system design and optimization. This study has introduced a numerical method that takes into account both thermal and mechanical fluxes to construct thermal and mechanical property maps for practical application in semiconductor engineering. Furthermore, this paper investigated the relationship between the two properties using the constructed property maps in commercially available semiconductor packages. Owing to the complexity of packaging design patterns, a coupled isoparametric mapping and machine learning (ML) method was introduced to investigate their effects. The model then determines and investigates the anisotropic equivalent thermal and mechanical properties of the commercialized semiconductor packages with complex pattern designs, according to the package materials, volume fractions of each material, and design patterns. This approach pursues more sophistication and practicality compared to simplified composite structure property evaluation models. Additionally, all processes in the algorithm are automated based on ML methods, making them practically applicable in the semiconductor industry. The study shows that there is a strong correlation between the thermal and mechanical characteristics in the complex package patterns. This relationship was able to form a fairly clear category based on the shape of the dielectric band because the dielectric band had significantly different effects on the thermal and mechanical fluxes. The study discussed the physical implications of the similarities and differences between the two behaviors and validated the results of the equivalent properties through finite element (FE) analysis. Finally, the study cross-validates the relationship by showing that information from one flux behavior can be used to predict the other based on the ML method. Based on the results, this paper can provide a better understanding of thermal and mechanical fluxes in semiconductor package patterns for package design and optimization.

Optimizing BESS performance: Anisotropic thermal properties and innovative parallel-flow cooling solutions

As the demand for efficient energy storage solutions intensifies, container-type battery energy storage systems (BESS) have gained prominence. BESS usually utilizes large-format laminated lithium-ion battery (LIB) modules, which inherently possess unique anisotropic thermal properties. Specifically, the surface regions with elevated temperatures exhibit high thermal conductivity, while the cooler zones at both ends manifest reduced conductivity. Such disparities emphasize the challenge of developing an effective battery thermal management system (BTMS) for these modules. To address this, our study introduces an innovative BTMS configuration wherein the batteries are aligned in series, while cooling air flows parallel to them. This parallel-flow cooling approach capitalizes on the anisotropic properties, intensifying airflow over the surfaces and recirculating cooling air to optimize heat dissipation from hotspots. Consequently, our system reduces the peak temperature from 42.3 °C to 37.5 °C, as well as the temperature difference (ΔT) from 14.3 °C to 10.2 °C across the entire BESS, respectively representing 11.3 % and 28.7 % changes. This leads to a substantial 75.9 % enhancement in the performance index, significantly augmenting both the safety and commercial viability of the BESS.

Scale dependency of anisotropic thermal conductivity of heterogeneous geomaterials

The precise determination of subsurface thermal properties is critical for ground-source heating systems. The geomaterials are inherently heterogeneous, and their thermal conductivity measured in laboratory and field tests often exhibits anisotropic behaviours. However, the accurate measurement of thermal responses in geomaterials presents a challenging task due to the anisotropy’s variation with the observed scale. Hence, a numerical method is developed in this work and illustrated by taking a typical anisotropic structure of geomaterials with the porosity of 0.5 as an example. The differences in data from laboratory measurements and field tests are discussed to explore the scale effect on anisotropic thermal properties. A series of simulation tests are conducted on specimens with varying dimensions using the finite element method. Results indicate that the thermal properties show a substantial sensitivity to the observation scale, the variation of which decreases with the sample dimensions. By comparing in situ data and laboratory results, the values of average thermal conductivity and corresponding anisotropy ratio are lower than those at small scales, indicating that careful consideration should be given to the thermal properties to account for heterogeneity and anisotropy. In addition, four upscaling schemes based on the averaging method are discussed. This study sheds light on the gap between the laboratory results and the field’s inherent properties and provides guidelines for upscaling small-scale results to field-scale applications.

Anisotropic elastic and thermal properties and damage tolerance of CrH: A first-principles calculation

The elastic properties, thermal properties, and damage tolerance of one cubic (C-CrH) and two hexagonal (H1-CrH and H2-CrH) CrH hydrides were investigated using first-principles calculation based on density functional theory (DFT). The results showed that C-CrH is brittle, while H1-CrH and H2-CrH are ductile. Compared to the hexagonal CrH, C-CrH has the highest hardness, the largest damage tolerance, and the largest fracture toughness values. Three-dimensional (3D) surface configurations and two-dimensional (2D) planar projections were used to estimate the elastic anisotropy, and the elastic anisotropy is in the order of H2-CrH > C-CrH > H1-CrH. In addition, C-CrH has the highest minimum thermal conductivity among these CrH hydrides. CrH hydrides are anisotropic in minimum thermal conductivity with the order of H1-CrH > C-CrH > H2-CrH.

Integrated composite electrothermal de-icing system based on ultra-thin flexible heating film

Icing is a serious threat to the flight safety of aircraft. Lightweight and efficient electrothermal de-icing systems for carbon fiber reinforced polymer components are expected to contribute to the lightweighting and electrification of aircraft. This study presents the development and test of a novel, integrated, multifunctional composite electrothermal ice protection system. The system achieves this by incorporating a carbon-based ultra-thin flexible heating film into a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite laminate. T700 and M40 carbon fiber prepregs were used. The system composition and configuration were designed based on the anisotropic mechanical and thermal properties of the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite. The effects of ply stacking sequence, presence of insulation layer, ply angle, heating area, and prepreg type on thermal response and de-icing performance were investigated. Thermal response experiments were carried out in both room temperature and low temperature environments. A one-dimensional thermal response analysis model was developed for a representative heating structure. Comparative de-icing experiments were conducted on different samples in a low-temperature test chamber. A numerical model, based on the modified enthalpy-porosity method, was developed to simulate the de-icing process, and showed good agreement with the experimental results. Experiments and numerical calculations show that the arrangement of the heater close to the deicing surface improves the performance of the electrothermal deicing system while maintaining the overall mechanical properties of the multi-layer structure. While the insulation layer helps marginally with heat loss during de-icing, it significantly increases the system’s thermal inertia, which delays the de-icing’s start. It is recommended to minimize or eliminate insulation layer thickness. Rapid de-icing effects, combined with energy conservation, can be achieved through a short-term, high-power heating strategy.

Systematic Study of the Nanostructures of Exfoliated Polymer Nanocomposites.

High-performance bioinspired materials have shown rapid development over the last decade. Examples are brick-and-mortar hierarchical structures, which are often achieved via solvent evaporation. Although good properties are claimed, most systems are composed of stacked or intercalated platelets. Exfoliation is a crucial step to give ultimate anisotropic properties, e.g., thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties. We propose a general framework for all the various types of micro-scale structures that should be distinguished for 2D filler nanocomposites. In particular, the exfoliated state is systematically explored by the immobilization of montmorillonite platelets via (gelatin) hydrogelation. Scattering techniques were used to evaluate this strategy at the level of the particle dispersion and the regularity of spatial arrangement. The gelatin/montmorillonite exfoliated nanostructures are fully controlled by the filler volume fraction since the observed gallery d-spacings perfectly fall onto the predicted values. Surprisingly, X-ray analysis also revealed short- and quasi long-range arrangement of the montmorillonite clay at high loading.

Extreme Polarization Anisotropy in Resonant Third-Harmonic Generation from Aligned Carbon Nanotube Films.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess extremely anisotropic electronic, thermal, and optical properties owing to their 1D character. While their linear optical properties have been extensively studied, nonlinear optical processes, such as harmonic generation for frequency conversion, remain largely unexplored in CNTs, particularly in macroscopic CNT assemblies. In this work, macroscopic films of aligned and type-separated (semiconducting and metallic) CNTs are synthesized and polarization-dependent third-harmonic generation (THG) from the films with fundamental wavelengths ranging from 1.5 to 2.5µm is studied. Both films exhibited strongly wavelength-dependent, intense THG signals, enhanced through exciton resonances, and third-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities of 2.50×10-19 m2 V-2 (semiconducting CNTs) and 1.23×10-19 m2 V-2 (metallic CNTs), respectively are found, for 1.8µm excitation. Further, through systematic polarization-dependent THG measurements, the values of all elements of the susceptibility tensor are determined, verifying the macroscopically 1D nature of the films. Finally, polarized THG imaging is performed to demonstrate the nonlinear anisotropy in the large-size CNT film with good alignment. These findings promise applications of aligned CNT films in mid-infrared frequency conversion, nonlinear optical switching, polarized pulsed lasers, polarized long-wave detection, and high-performance anisotropic nonlinear photonic devices.

Statistical Study of Anisotropic Proton Heating in Interplanetary Magnetic Switchbacks Measured by Parker Solar Probe

Magnetic switchbacks, which are large angular deflections of the interplanetary magnetic field, are frequently observed by Parker Solar Probe (PSP) in the inner heliosphere. Magnetic switchbacks are believed to play an important role in the heating of the solar corona and the solar wind as well as the acceleration of the solar wind in the inner heliosphere. Here, we analyze magnetic field data and plasma data measured by PSP during its second and fourth encounters, and select 71 switchback events with reversals of the radial component of the magnetic field at times of unchanged electron-strahl pitch angles. We investigate the anisotropic thermal kinetic properties of plasma during switchbacks in a statistical study of the measured proton temperatures in the parallel and perpendicular directions as well as proton density and specific proton fluid entropy. We apply the “genetic algorithm” method to directly fit the measured velocity distribution functions in field-aligned coordinates using a two-component bi-Maxwellian distribution function. We find that the protons in most switchback events are hotter than the ambient plasma outside the switchbacks, with characteristics of parallel and perpendicular heating. Specifically, significant parallel and perpendicular temperature increases are seen for 45 and 62 of the 71 events, respectively. We find that the density of most switchback events decreases rather than increases, which indicates that proton heating inside the switchbacks is not caused by adiabatic compression, but is probably generated by nonadiabatic heating caused by field–particle interactions. Accordingly, the proton fluid entropy is greater inside the switchbacks than in the ambient solar wind.

Liquid metal assisted fabrication of MXene-based films: Toward superior electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal management

The development of thin and flexible films that possess both electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and thermal management capabilities has always been an intriguing pursuit, but itisnevertheless a crucialproblemtoaddress. Inspired by the deformability of liquid metal (LM) and film forming capacity of MXene, here we present a series of ternary compositing films prepared via cellulose nanofiber (CNF) assisted vacuum filtration technology. Originating from the highly conductive LM/MXene network, the MLMC film presents a maximum EMI shielding effectiness (EMI SE) of 78 dB at a tiny thickness of 45 μm, together with a high specific EMI SE of 3046 dB mm−1. Meanwhile, these compositing films also deliver excellent flexibility and mechanical reliability, showing no obvious decline in EMI shielding performance even after 1000 bending and 500 folding cycles, respectively. Moreover, notable anisotropic thermal conductive property was successfully achieved, allowing for a highly desirable in-plane thermal conductivity of 7.8 W m−1 K−1. This accomplishment also yielded an exceptional electro-thermal conversion capacity, enabling efficient low-voltage (3 V) heating capabilities. These captivating features are expected to greatly drive the widespread adoption of LM-based films in future flexible electronic and wearable technologies.

A laser-based Ångstrom method for in-plane thermal characterization of isotropic and anisotropic materials using infrared imaging.

High heat fluxes generated in electronics and semiconductor packages require materials with high thermal conductivity to effectively diffuse the heat and avoid local hotspots. Engineered heat spreading materials typically exhibit anisotropic conduction behavior due to their composite construction. The design of thermal management solutions is often limited by the lack of fast and accurate characterization techniques for such anisotropic materials. A popular technique for measuring the thermal diffusivity of bulk materials is the Ångstrom method, where a thin strip or rod of material is heated periodically at one end, and the corresponding transient temperature profile is used to infer the thermal diffusivity. However, this method is generally limited to the characterization of one-dimensional samples and requires multiple measurements with multiple samples to characterize anisotropic materials. Here, we present a new measurement technique for characterizing the isotropic and anisotropic in-plane thermal properties of thin films and sheets as an extension of the one-dimensional Ångstrom method and other lock-in thermography techniques. The measurement leverages non-contact infrared temperature mapping to measure the thermal response from laser-based periodic heating at the center of a suspended thin film sample. Uniquely, our novel data extraction method does not require precise knowledge of the boundary conditions. To validate the accuracy of this technique, numerical models are developed to generate transient temperature profiles for hypothetical anisotropic materials with known properties. The resultant temperature profiles are processed through our fitting algorithm to extract the in-plane thermal conductivities without knowledge of the input properties of the model. Across a wide range of in-plane thermal conductivities, these results agree well with the input values. Experiments demonstrate the approach for a known isotropic reference material and an anisotropic heat spreading material. The limits of accuracy of this technique are identified based on the experimental and sample parameters. Further standardization of this measurement technique will enable the development and characterization of engineered heat spreading materials with desired anisotropic properties for various applications.

Improving the comprehensive properties of chitosan-based thermal insulation aerogels by introducing a biobased epoxy thermoset to form an anisotropic honeycomb-layered structure

Naturally-derived aerogels have attracted considerable attention owing to their good biocompatibility, biodegradability and sustainability, but their weak mechanical properties largely limit their applications in various fields. Herein, we proposed the use of a directional freeze-drying method to prepare an anisotropic honeycomb three-dimensional porous aerogel with water-soluble chitosan (CS) as a rigid skeleton and water-soluble biobased epoxy resin as cross-linked hard segments, which had low volume shrinkage and density of 13.9 % and 34.3 mg/cm3, respectively. The resultant aerogel had anisotropic mechanical properties, such as rigidity in the axial direction with a maximum axial modulus of 6.71 MPa, which was 51.6 times larger than that of the pure chitosan aerogel, demonstrating a good compressive elasticity in the radial direction. It also had anisotropic thermal management properties, with a lower thermal conductivity in the radial direction than in the axial direction, down to 0.029 W/mK. The introduction of biobased epoxy resin improved the overall thermal stability, flame retardancy, and increased the biomass content in the aerogel, reducing the carbon footprint of the material. This study paves the way for the construction of a special graded porous, structurally and functionally integrated thermal insulation aerogel, which is of great significance for the development of new thermal insulation materials.

Design of Bioinspired Highly Aligned Bamboo-Mimetic Metamaterials With Structural and Functional Anisotropy

Metamaterials have received widespread attention for their unique properties and broad application prospects. With inspiration from bamboo, metamaterials can be rationally designed to achieve anisotropic functionality. Using a combination of 3D printing and subsequent hot pressing of dual-curing composites, we describe a simple method for creating well-aligned SiC whisker (SiCw) composites that mimic bamboo and have achievable anisotropic thermal conductivity (TC), dielectric properties (DP), and flashover performances (FP). The anisotropic structure is proved by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction observations. At the low loading of 8 vol% SiCw, the axial thermal conductivity of the structured composites can reach 0.655 W m-1 K-1, whereas the radial thermal conductivity is only 0.281 W m-1 K-1, with a high anisotropic TC ratio of 2.33. Strong anisotropy in the dielectric constant was also observed with the permittivity of 134 along the axial direction versus that of 65 along the radial direction at 1 kHz, with a high anisotropic DP ratio of 2.06. Notably, metamaterials exhibit significant anisotropy in both their surface conductivity and flashover voltage, with a high conductivity ratio of ~10,000. The flashover voltage in the diametrical direction is 6 times that in the axial direction and 60% higher than that of the neat resin. This study shows that this approach is anticipated to offer a new path for the creation of high-performance functionally anisotropic materials to meet the diversified requirements of modern electronics.

Anisotropic thermal property characterizations and optical phonon contribution analysis of ZnO under high pressure

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a wide band-gap semiconductor material with versatile applications in high-tech fields. Under high pressure, ZnO exhibits multiple phase transitions, which are of great significance for the development of photocatalysts, micro-devices with stress-controlled elements, and the investigation of relevant structure-activity relationships. However, previous studies have reported only theoretical calculations of its thermal transport properties under high pressure due to the challenges of experimental methodology. In this work, we employed a combination of the time-domain thermoreflectance technique and diamond anvil cell to characterize the anisotropic thermal properties of ZnO crystal under 0–20 GPa. Simultaneously, we studied the micro-structure of ZnO in the same pressure range by Raman spectra. Our proposed modified Leibfried-Schlomann equation adequately explained the non-monotonic trend of the thermal conductivity within 10 GPa observed in measurement results. Additionally, we report the ZnO thermal conductivity during the decompression process for the first time. Our experimental results and theoretical analysis advance the understanding of the thermal transport mechanism of wide-gap semiconductors under high pressure and pave the way for their high-pressure modification.

The quantification of anisotropy in graphene/natural rubber nanocomposites: Evaluation of the aspect ratio, concentration, and crosslinking

AbstractIn the processing of nanocomposites, high shear stresses at elevated temperatures orient two‐dimensional nanoparticles like graphene. This orientation leads to anisotropic mechanical, thermal or barrier properties of the nanocomposite. This anisotropy is addressed in this study by comparing graphene (few‐layer graphene, FLG) with a nanoscaled carbon black (nCB) at a filler content of 3 phr, by varying the vulcanization, and by comparing different FLG contents. Transmission electron microscopy gives insight into the qualitative orientation in the nanocomposite with FLG or nCB. The storage moduli parallel and normal to the orientation reveal the direction dependency of reinforcement through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Dimensional swelling measurements show a restriction of the expansion parallel to the FLG orientation, and an increased expansion normal to the orientation. The vulcanization system and crosslinking determine the respective level of property values, and higher crosslinking densities increase the anisotropy in DMA resulting in values of up to 2.9 for the quantified anisotropy factor. With increasing FLG content, the anisotropy increases. A comparison of the results reveals swelling measurements as the most suitable method for the determination of anisotropy. Compared to recent literature, the presented processing induces higher anisotropy, leading to higher reinforcing effects in the direction of orientation.

Quantitative Characterization of the Anisotropic Thermal Properties of Encapsulated Two-Dimensional MoS2 Nanofilms.

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors exhibit unique physical properties at the limit of a few atomic layers that are desirable for optoelectronic, spintronic, and electronic applications. Some of these materials require ambient encapsulation to preserve their properties from environmental degradation. While encapsulating 2D semiconductors is essential to device functionality, they also impact heat management due to the reduced thermal conductivity of the 2D material. There are limited experimental reports on in-plane thermal conductivity measurements in encapsulated 2D semiconductors. These measurements are particularly challenging in ultrathin films with a lower thermal conductivity than graphene since it may be difficult to separate the thermal effects of the sample from the encapsulating layers. To address this challenge, we integrated the frequency domain thermoreflectance (FDTR) and optothermal Raman spectroscopy (OTRS) techniques in the same experimental platform. First, we use the FDTR technique to characterize the cross-plane thermal conductivity and thermal boundary conductance. Next, we measure the in-plane thermal conductivity by model-based analysis of the OTRS measurements, using the cross-plane properties obtained from the FDTR measurements as input parameters. We provide experimental data for the first time on the thickness-dependent in-plane thermal conductivity of ultrathin MoS2 nanofilms encapsulated by alumina (Al2O3) and silica (SiO2) thin films. The measured thermal conductivity increased from 26.0 ± 10.0 W m-1 K-1 for monolayer MoS2 to 39.8 ± 10.8 W m-1 K-1 for the six-layer films. We also show that the thickness-dependent cross-plane thermal boundary conductance of the Al2O3/MoS2/SiO2 interface is limited by the low thermal conductance (18.5 MW m-2 K-1) of the MoS2/SiO2 interface, which has important implications on heat management in SiO2-supported and encased MoS2 devices. The measurement methods can be generalized to other 2D materials to study their anisotropic thermal properties.

Comparing investigation of the anisotropic thermoelectric properties of textured KSr2Nb5O15 ceramics

High ZT at a certain direction is highly desirable for tungsten bronze structure material which has anisotropic lattice structure. The anisotropic thermoelectric properties of KSr2Nb5O15 were studied using first-principles calculations. KSr2Nb5O15 has a high ZT of 1.379 in the ∥c direction, which is 16.65 times larger than that in the ⊥c direction. In addition, KSr2Nb5O15 textured ceramics were prepared by reactive templated grain growth, and their anisotropic thermoelectric properties were studied. The sample along the ∥c direction has a power factor of 0.236 mW/(mK2), which exhibits much larger thermoelectric properties than that along the ⊥c direction. Both the calculated results and experimental results have good consistency and verify the obvious anisotropic thermal properties of KSr2Nb5O15. Furthermore, the mechanism of the anisotropy of the thermoelectric properties of KSr2Nb5O15 is simply clarified. This research provides a basis for improving the thermoelectric performance of KSr2Nb5O15 ceramics.