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Development of Al2O3-ZnO/Ca3Co4O9 Module for Thermoelectric Power Generation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Paolo Mele
Affiliation:
pmele@post.matsc.kyutech.ac.jp, Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT), Kitakyushu, Japan
Kaname Matsumoto
Affiliation:
matsu@post.matsc.kyutech.ac.jp, Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT), Kitakyushu, Japan
Takeshi Azuma
Affiliation:
azuma@post.matsc.kyutech.ac.jp, Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT), Kitakyushu, Japan
Keita Kamesawa
Affiliation:
keita@post.matsc.kyutech.ac.jp, Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT), Kitakyushu, Japan
Saburo Tanaka
Affiliation:
tanaka@post.matsc.kyutech.ac.jp, Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT), Kitakyushu, Japan
Jun-Ichiro Kurosaki
Affiliation:
Kurosaki@post.matsc.kyutech.ac.jp, Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT), Kitakyushu, Japan
Koji Miyazaki
Affiliation:
miyazaki@mech.kyutech.ac.jp, Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT), Kitakyushu, Japan
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Abstract

Pure and Al2O3(2%, 5%, 8%) doped sintered ZnO (n-type) and pure sintered Ca3Co4O9 (p-type) pellets were prepared by conventional solid state synthesis starting from the oxides. The sintered pellets were cut by a diamond saw in a pillar shape (15 mm×5 mm×5 mm) for experimental checks. The best doped sample was 2 % Al2O3 ZnO showing Seebeck coefficient S = -180 mV/K and electrical conductivity σ = 8 S/cm at 400°C, while thermal conductivity κ = 1.8 W/m×K at 600°C. Typical values for Ca3Co4O9 were S = 82.5 mV/K and σ = 125 S/cm at 800°C, while κ = 1.01 W/m×K at 600°C. Several modules fabricated by elements cut from sintered pellets were tested and the best performance was obtained in the module formed by six 2 % Al2O3ZnO/ Ca3Co4O9 couples, that generated an output power P = 300 mV at 500°C (when ΔT = 260°C).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2009

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