Synthesis, theoretical investigation and properties of nanocomposite thermoelectric materials

本项目的中心目标是研究Skutterudite和碲化铅基材料的微观结构对其性能的影响。研究中的微观结构现象包括成分梯度、纳米级沉淀的形成、晶粒生长和偏析过程以及渗流网络中团簇结构的形成。这一提议的一个关键方面是，结构变化与性质的变化以及对各自热电材料的局域性质和电子态的理论计算相关联。此外，还将评估p/n型Skutterudite热电偶和p型LAST/n型PbBiTe热电偶的潜在适用性。高质量的透射电子显微镜信息、理论结果和性能曲线的直接比较直接与纳米粉末材料热电性能的更好预测性相比较。

Central goal of this project is the investigation of the influence of the microstructure of Skutterudites and lead telluride-based materials on their properties. The microstructural phenomena under investigation encompass compositional gradients, formation of precipitates on the nanoscale, grain growth and segregation processes and the formation of cluster structures in a percolation network. It is a key aspect of this proposal that the structural changes are correlated to changes in properties and theoretical calculations on the local properties and electronic states of the respective thermoelectric material. In addition, a potential applicability of thermocouples of p-/n-type Skutterudites and p-type LAST/n-type Pb-Bi-Te will be evaluated. A direct comparison of high-quality TEM information, theoretical results and property profiles is directed versus better predictability of thermoelectric properties of nanopowder materials.