We explore the efficiency of a thermoelectric energy converter constituted by a Si/Ge nanowire of length L. A constitutive equation of thermal conductivity as function of composition and temperature is derived in accordance with experimental data obtained at the constant temperatures T=300K, T=400K, and T=500K by a nonlinear regression method. A thermodynamic model of thermoelectric energy converter is developed in accordance with second law of thermodynamics. Then, we investigate the thermoelectric efficiency of such system as function of the composition, and of both composition and temperature gradients applied at its ends. For each temperature, we calculate the values of composition and heat conductivity giving the optimal efficiency of the thermoelectric energy conversion. A series of constraints on the material functions entering the model equations, which are necessary and sufficient to guarantee the optimal efficiency of the system, are determined and discussed.

Thermal conductivity and enhanced thermoelectric efficiency of composition-graded Si cGe 1-c alloys

Cimmelli V. A.
2020-01-01

Abstract

We explore the efficiency of a thermoelectric energy converter constituted by a Si/Ge nanowire of length L. A constitutive equation of thermal conductivity as function of composition and temperature is derived in accordance with experimental data obtained at the constant temperatures T=300K, T=400K, and T=500K by a nonlinear regression method. A thermodynamic model of thermoelectric energy converter is developed in accordance with second law of thermodynamics. Then, we investigate the thermoelectric efficiency of such system as function of the composition, and of both composition and temperature gradients applied at its ends. For each temperature, we calculate the values of composition and heat conductivity giving the optimal efficiency of the thermoelectric energy conversion. A series of constraints on the material functions entering the model equations, which are necessary and sufficient to guarantee the optimal efficiency of the system, are determined and discussed.
2020
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
RogCimZAMP_2020.pdf

solo utenti autorizzati

Descrizione: Pdf editoriale
Tipologia: Pdf editoriale
Licenza: DRM non definito
Dimensione 1.76 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.76 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11563/145272
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 5
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 5
social impact