Study of anisotropic thermal properties of GO/rGO based 1D Bi2Te3 thermo-electric nanomaterials for energy harvesting applications

• Main Authors: Pillala, Naveen Nischal, Dash, Raj Kishora
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bismuth tellurides; Chemical composition; Chemical synthesis; Composite materials; Electric devices; Energy; Energy conversion efficiency; Energy harvesting; Energy sources; Figure of merit; Graphene; Heat conductivity; Heat transfer; Intermetallic compounds; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Physical properties; Reducing agents; Thermal conductivity; Thermal energy; Thermodynamic properties; Thermoelectric materials
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0134171

Thermo electric materials are the potential alternative sources of energy because they convert thermal energy directly into electrical energy at a temperature gradient without any moving parts or any dangerous emissions into the environment. Bismuth telluride is a well-established thermoelectric material; however, the overall energy conversion efficiency (figure of merit) is very poor hence these materials are not utilized in practical commercial applications. It has been recently reported that the energy conversion efficiency can be improved by nano structuring or by fabricating the nanocomposites. In such materials, the thermal conductivity can be reduced due to the phonon-blocking phenomena. Therefore, the objective of this work is to develop a novel bismuth telluride-Graphene oxide/reduced graphene oxide thermo-electric nanocomposites by using GO/rGO as a filler material in Bi2Te3 matrix. Energy conversion in a single thermoelectric material happens between a hot-end and cold-end, hence it is important to investigate the directional behaviour of the samples. In this work, Bi2Te3 rods are synthesized by chemical rational synthesis method. Also, Bi2Te3− GO/rGO nano materials were synthesized by in-situ rational synthesis method. Graphene oxide (GO) is synthesized by modified-Hummers method and reduced to rGO by a reducing agent. The structure, morphology and chemical composition of thermoelectric nano composite materials are studied by XRD, FESEM, EDX. Finally, the thermo-physical properties like thermal conductivity (Isotropic and Anisotropic) of the various Bi2Te3-GO/rGO thermo-electric nano composites were presented to obtain a promising green technology material for future thermo electric devices.