Thermoelectrics : basic principles and new materials developments

The field of thermoelectrics has grown dramatically in recent years. In particular new and novel materials research has been undertaken and device applications have increased. In spite of this resurgence of interest there are very few books available that outline the basic concepts in this field. Thus it is necessary that a book be written that encompasses the basic theory and introduces some of the resent research into improved materials for solid-state cooling and power generation. Therefore the aim of this book is threefold. First, to present the basic theory of thermoelectricity. Both theoretical concepts and experimental aspects of the field of solid-state cooling and power generation are discussed. Second, to bridge the gap between theory and application. To this end, the techniques for producing good thermoelectric materials and module design issues are reviewed. Third, to present some of the research into new and novel materials that has drawn the attention of the scientific community. The book is intended as a reference to experimentalists working in the field; however, it will also prove useful to scientists corning into the field from other areas of research. It can also serve as a useful text for graduate students.

1 Historical Development
1.1 Introduction	p. 1
1.2 Thermoelectric and Thermomagnetic Phenomena	p. 2
1.3 Peltier Cooling and the Thermoelectric Figure of Merit	p. 8
1.4 Efficiency of Thermoelectric Power Generation	p. 12
1.5 Ettingshausen Cooling and the Thermomagnetic Figure of Merit	p. 13
2 Transport of Heat and Electricity in Solids
2.1 Crystalline Solids	p. 15
2.2 Heat Conduction by the Lattice	p. 18
2.3 Band Theory of Solids	p. 28
2.4 Electron Transport in a Zero Magnetic Field	p. 36
2.5 Effect of a Magnetic Field	p. 44
2.6 Nonparabolic Bands	p. 51
2.7 Phonon Drag	p. 55
3 Selection and Optimization Criteria
3.1 Selection Criteria for Thermoelectric Materials	p. 59
3.2 Influence of Carrier Concentration on the Properties of Semiconductors	p. 59
3.3 Optimization of Electronic Properties	p. 71
3.4 Minimizing Thermal Conductivity	p. 76
3.5 Anisotropic Thermoelements	p. 84
3.6 Thermoelectric Cooling at Very Low Temperatures	p. 87
4 Measurement and Characterization
4.1 Electrical Conductivity	p. 91
4.2 Seebeck Coefficient	p. 93
4.3 Thermal Conductivity	p. 95
4.4 Figure of Merit	p. 99
4.5 Thermogalvanomagnetic Effects	p. 105
5 Review of Established Materials and Devices
5.1 Group V 2 -VI 3	p. 111
5.2 Elements of Group V and Their Alloys	p. 131
5.3 Materials for Thermoelectric Generators	p. 146
5.4 Production of Materials	p. 151
5.5 Design of Modules	p. 163
6 The Phonon-Glass Electron-Crystal Approach to Thermoelectric Materials Research
6.1 Requirements for Good Thermoelectric Materials and the PGEC Approach	p. 177
6.2 The Skutterudite Material System	p. 178
6.3 Clathrate Compounds	p. 191
7 Complex Chalcogenide Structures
7.1 Introduction	p. 209
7.2 New Materials with Potential for Thermoelectric Applications	p. 210
7.3 Pentatelluride Compounds	p. 220
7.4 TI 2 SnTe 5 and TI 2 GeTe 5	p. 229
8 Low-Dimensional Thermoelectric Materials
8.1 Fine-Grained Si-Ge and Thin-Film Bi	p. 235
8.2 Survey of Size Effects	p. 236
8.3 Experimental Structures	p. 242
8.4 Practical Considerations	p. 251
8.5 Summary	p. 254
9 Thermionic Refrigeration
9.1 The Vacuum Diode	p. 255
9.2 Solid-State Thermionic Devices	p. 263
References	p. 271
Subject Index	p. 287

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