Solution processable routes to nanostructured thermoelectric materials

ORAL

Abstract

The previous decade of research has shown that nanostructured thermoelectric materials can have superior performance compared to their bulk counterparts.. Often, the synthesis of nanostructured materials is performed by layer-by-layer methods, which hinders their ability to be produced as thick films. Here we show a scheme by which nanocrystals embedded in a thermoelectric matrix may be produced using solution processing. Using hydrazine chemistry, we prepare soluble precursors for Bi2X3 (X=S,Se,Te). Solutions containing those precursors are spun and drop-cast onto substrates, and their electrical and thermal properties are characterized. We show ongoing research to embed colloidal nanocrystals into a matrix made from the soluble precursors.

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Authors

  • Joseph Feser

    Deptartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of California - Berkeley

  • Robert Wang

    The Molecular Foundary, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Arun Majumdar

    Deptartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of California - Berkeley, Dept of Mech Eng, UC Berkeley, University of California at Berkeley, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720

  • Jeffrey Urban

    The Molecular Foundary, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, LBNL