Nanocomposites with Independently Controlled Properties of the Thermoelectric Material for High Figure of Merit

Aspen Systems proposes to develop advanced nanocomposite materials to achieve high thermoelectric figure of merit by incorporating nanoparticles with high Seebeck coefficients within a high surface area semiconducting matrix with extremely low thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity. In the proposed nanocomposite structure, we will achieve the high hot charge carrier generation efficiency by selecting the high Seebeck coefficient particles. High electric charge collection efficiency and low thermal conductivity will be achieved by fabricating highly doped semiconducting matrix by employing the reactive pyrolysis of high surface area matrix. By decoupling constituents of the thermoelectric Figure of Merit, we can independently control the materials properties without affecting others and consequently achieve the high thermoelectric figure of merit. In Phase I, we will experimentally demonstrate the proposed concept of high thermoelectric Figure of Merit by fabricating and testing nanocomposites of thermoelectric nanoparticles embedded within high surface area boron-silicon-carbon based matrix. By modifying compositional stoichiometry, we can control electrical conductivity and charge transport mechanism in the matrix. Based on these experimental results, we will also elucidate the charge transport mechanism operating in nanocomposite structures. In Phase II, we will fabricate and test the high efficiency thermoelectric modules for intended applications.