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A strategy to optimize the thermoelectric performance in a spark plasma sintering process.

ABSTRACT: Spark plasma sintering (SPS) is currently widely applied to existing alloys as a means of further enhancing the alloys' figure of merit. However, the determination of the optimal sintering condition is challenging in the SPS process. This report demonstrates a systematic way to independently optimize the Seebeck coefficient S and the ratio of electrical to thermal conductivity (?/?) and thus achieve the maximum figure of merit zT = S(2)(?/?)T. Sb2-xInxTe3 (x = 0-0.2) were chosen as examples to validate the method. Although high sintering temperature and pressure are helpful in enhancing the compactness and electrical conductivity of pressed samples, the resultant deteriorated Seebeck coefficient and increasing thermal conductivity eventually offset the benefit. We found that the optimal sintering temperature coincides with temperatures at which the maximum Seebeck coefficient begins to degrade, whereas the optimal sintering pressure coincided with the pressure at which the ?/? ratio reaches a maximum. Based on this principle, the optimized sintering conditions were determined, and the zT of Sb1.9In0.1Te3 is raised to 0.92 at 600 K, showing an approximately 84% enhancement. This work develops a facile strategy for selecting the optimal SPS sintering condition to further enhance the zT of bulk specimens.

SUBMITTER: Chiu WT

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4791595 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A strategy to optimize the thermoelectric performance in a spark plasma sintering process.

Chiu Wan-Ting WT Chen Cheng-Lung CL Chen Yang-Yuan YY

Scientific reports 20160315

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) is currently widely applied to existing alloys as a means of further enhancing the alloys' figure of merit. However, the determination of the optimal sintering condition is challenging in the SPS process. This report demonstrates a systematic way to independently optimize the Seebeck coefficient S and the ratio of electrical to thermal conductivity (σ/κ) and thus achieve the maximum figure of merit zT = S(2)(σ/κ)T. Sb2-xInxTe3 (x = 0-0.2) were chosen as examples to v ...[more]

PMID: 26975209

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Project description:The bimodal-grain-size 7075 aluminium alloys containing varied ratios of large and small 7075 aluminium powders were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The large powder was 100 ± 15 ?m in diameter and the small one was 10 ± 5 ?m in diameter. The 7075 aluminium alloys was completely densified under the 500 °C sintering temperature and 60 MPa pressure. The large powders constituted coarse grain zone, and the small powders constituted fine grain zone in sintered 7075 aluminium alloys. The microstructural and microchemical difference between the large and small powders was remained in coarse and fine grain zones in bulk alloys after SPS sintering, which allowed for us to investigate the effects of microstructure and microchemistry on passive properties of oxide film formed on sintered alloys. The average diameter of intermetallic phases was 201.3 nm in coarse grain zone, while its vale was 79.8 nm in fine grain zone. The alloying element content in intermetallic phases in coarse grain zone was 33% to 48% higher than that on fine grain zone. The alloying element depletion zone surrounding intermetallic phases in coarse grain zone showed a bigger width and a more severe element depletion. The coarse grain zone in alloys showed a bigger electrochemical heterogeneity as compared to fine grain zone. The passive film formed on coarse grain zone had a thicker thickness and a point defect density of 2.4 × 1024 m-3, and the film on fine grain zone had a thinner thickness and a point defect density of 4.0 × 1023 m-3. The film resistance was 3.25 × 105 ?cm2 on coarse grain zone, while it was 6.46 × 105 ?cm2 on fine grain zone. The passive potential range of sintered alloys increased from 457 mV to 678 mV, while the corrosion current density decreased from 8.59 × 10-7 A/cm2 to 6.78 × 10-7 A/cm2 as fine grain zone increasing from 0% to 100%, which implied that the corrosion resistance of alloys increased with the increasing content of fine grains. The passive film on coarse grain zone exhibited bigger corrosion cavities after pitting initiation compared to that on fine grain zone. The passive film formed on fine grain zone showed a better corrosion resistance. The protectiveness of passive film was mainly determined by defect density rather than the thickness in this work.

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A strategy to optimize the thermoelectric performance in a spark plasma sintering process.

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A strategy to optimize the thermoelectric performance in a spark plasma sintering process.

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