High-performance thermoelectric oxides: processing approaches and composition design

Abstract

Oxide materials represent a promising alternative to traditional thermoelectrics, by providing a possibility to operate at high temperatures, resulting in a higher Carnot efficiency. Although their conversion efficiency is considerably lower, their known structural and microstructural versatility can open new horizons for thermoelectric applications. This work reviews some representative cases of engineering the composition and microstructure of oxides towards high thermoelectric performance. The selected approaches will include laser processing, in-situ formed composites, defects tailoring and aluminothermy-boosted sintering, also taking into account the unique redox-tuning capabilities of oxides. Representative examples will include ceramic materials based on SrTiO3, ZnO, CaMnO3 and Ca3Co4O9.