Solid State Materials Chemistry

我的主要研究方向是热电发电材料，这是一种利用废热发电的独特技术。考虑到由于自然资源的减少而迫切需要替代能源，预计在不久的将来，热电发电将发挥越来越大的作用。提高热电材料的效率将进一步加速这一发展，这可能会通过发现新材料以及通过纳米结构或带结构工程来改进现有材料来实现。

The main thrust of my research is into materials for the thermoelectric power generation, a unique technique to generate electricity from, e.g., waste heat. Thermoelectric power generation is foreseen to play an increasing role in the near future, considering the pressing need for alternative energies due to declining natural resources. Increasing the efficiency of thermoelectric materials would further accelerate this development, which may be achieved discovering new materials as well as by improving established materials via nanostructuring or band structure engineering, for example.   One focus is on our ongoing efforts to enhance the thermoelectric properties of AyMo3Sb7xTex and isostructural materials by substitution chemistry and nanostructuring, which were discovered and characterized in our group supported by previous NSERC Discovery Grants. A second focus is on a new class of thermoelectrics based on copper chalcogenides, discovered during the tenure of my current NSERC Discovery Grant. This basically unexplored class exhibits exceptional promise, as evident from the thermoelectric performance of the Cu2Se, if the stability can be improved, which will be the objective of this research proposed here. Third, we will pursue new ideas in the area of thermoelectric thallium tellurides, after our recent breakthrough in this area stemming from the current Discovery Grant. Fourth, we will commence studies into transverse thermoelectrics, a novel concept relying on the p- and n-type carriers moving orthogonal to each other. This basic, exploratory research will constitute a completely new focus of my Discovery Grant.   Overall this will contribute to the education and training of eight graduate students, as well as several undergraduate students. These HQP will receive an extensive practical and theoretical background in general materials chemistry focusing on energy conversion/generation, matters of vital interest to Canada.