Mesoporous Thin Films: Thermoelectric Application

Abstract:

The efficiency of a thermoelectric device depends on material properties through the figure of merit, Z = σS²/κ, where σ, S, and κ are electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity, respectively. To maximize the thermoelectric figure of merit of a material, high electrical conductivity, high Seebeck coefficient, and low thermal conductivity are required. This work has focused on the synthesis of a mesoporous titania films for its application in thermoelectric generation. The mesoporous titania film was synthesized with titanium tetraisopropoxide. The triblock copolymer, Pluronic P-123 (EO₂₀ PO ₇₀EO ₂₀) was used as surfactant in 1-propanol. As a result, an improvement of electrical conductivity and reduced annealing with a lowering of thermal conductivity by distributions of pores were found to be effective to enhance the thermoelectric property.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 260-261)
• Pages: 34-39
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.260-261.34
• Online since: December 2012
• Authors: Min Hee Hong, Chang Sun Park, Yong June Choi, Hong Sup Lee, Hyung Ho Park
• Keywords: Electrical Conductivity, Porous Film, Seebeck Coefficient, Thermal Conductivity (TC), Thermoelectric, Titania

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