Excess thermopower and the theory of thermopower waves

Joel T. Abrahamson, Bernat Sempere, Michael P. Walsh, Jared M. Forman, Fatih Şen, Selda Şen, Sayalee G. Mahajan, Geraldine L.C. Paulus, Qing Hua Wang, Wonjoon Choi, Michael S. Strano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Self-propagating exothermic chemical reactions can generate electrical pulses when guided along a conductive conduit such as a carbon nanotube. However, these thermopower waves are not described by an existing theory to explain the origin of power generation or why its magnitude exceeds the predictions of the Seebeck effect. In this work, we present a quantitative theory that describes the electrical dynamics of thermopower waves, showing that they produce an excess thermopower additive to the Seebeck prediction. Using synchronized, high-speed thermal, voltage, and wave velocity measurements, we link the additional power to the chemical potential gradient created by chemical reaction (up to 100 mV for picramide and sodium azide on carbon nanotubes). This theory accounts for the waves' unipolar voltage, their ability to propagate on good thermal conductors, and their high power, which is up to 120% larger than conventional thermopower from a fiber of all-semiconducting SWNTs. These results underscore the potential to exceed conventional figures of merit for thermoelectricity and allow us to bound the maximum power and efficiency attainable for such systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6533-6544
Number of pages12
JournalACS nano
Volume7
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013 Aug 27
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • carbon nanotubes
  • chemical potential
  • electronic doping
  • energy storage
  • thermoelectric
  • thermopower waves

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • General Engineering
  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Excess thermopower and the theory of thermopower waves'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this