Characterization and analysis of Fe2VAl pn-junctions manufactured by co-sintering

Details

Supervisors

Jacques, Pascal ; Roy, Geoffrey

Faculty

Ecole polytechnique de Louvain

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur civil en chimie et science des matériaux, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

The increased demand for energy has led a long way in investigations into waste energy recovery techniques. One of the promising ways to reverse waste heat loss is considered the use of thermoelectric generators. Thermoelectric generators are used to convert thermal heat directly into electrical power by means of thermoelectric phenomena, such as the Seebeck and the Peltier effect. Thus, this master’s thesis is dedicated to the work on thermoelectric generators and on facilitating their fabrication. Given the fact that the classical Π-shaped TEG model is not very cost-efficient, within the scope of this dissertation, the study of a new type PN-TEGs was pursued. Although fairly easy to fabricate, this model might possess a very high electrical internal resistance which eventually can reduce the efficiency of the final device. The thermoelectric material choice is Fe2VAl due to its abundance and low cost. The pursued analysis gives a higher resistivity of the interface compared to the resistivity of both n- and p-type Fe2VAl. Additionally, microstructural and elemental analysis reveals a higher interdiffusion of different elements which can also contribute to thermoelectric properties, and hence the performance.