Enhanced thermoelectric characteristics of Ag2Se nanoparticle thin films by embedding silicon nanowires

Seunggen Yang, Kyoungah Cho, Sangsig Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

A solution-processable Ag2Se nanoparticle thin film (NPTF) is a prospective thermoelectric material for plastic-based thermoelectric generators, but its low electrical conductivity hinders the fabrication of high performance plastic-based thermoelectric generators. In this study, wedesignAg2Se NPTFs embedded with silicon nanowires (SiNWs) to improve their thermoelectric characteristics. The Seebeck coefficients are -233 and -240 μV/K, respectively, for a Ag2Se NPTF alone and a Ag2Se NPTF embedded with SiNWs. For the Ag2Se NPTF embedded with SiNWs, the electrical conductivity is improved from 0.15 to 18.5 S/m with the embedment of SiNWs. The thermal conductivities are determined by a lateral thermal conductivity measurement for nanomaterials and the thermal conductivities are 0.62 and 0.84 W/(m K) for a Ag2Se NPTF alone and a Ag2Se NPTF embedded with SiNWs, respectively. Due to the significant increase in the electrical conductivity and the insignificant increase in its thermal conductivity, the output power of the Ag2Se NPTF embedded with SiNWs is 120 times greater than that of the Ag2Se NPTF alone. Our results demonstrate that the Ag2Se NPTF embedded with SiNWs is a prospective thermoelectric material for high performance plastic-based thermoelectric generators.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberen13123072
JournalEnergies
Volume13
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020 Jun

Keywords

  • Silicon nanowires
  • Silver selenide nanoparticles
  • Thermoelectric
  • Thin film

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Energy (miscellaneous)
  • Control and Optimization
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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