Speaker
Dr
Zhigang Chen
(the University of Queensland)
Description
Thermoelectric materials directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy, offering a green and sustainable alternative for the global energy market.[1, 2] So far, extensive investigations have been made to improve the thermoelectric efficiency, which governed by the dimensionless figure-of-merit ZT ( ), where σ is the electrical conductivity, S is the Seebeck coefficient, T is the absolute temperature, and is the total thermal conductivity which is the sum of the contributions from its electron (e) and lattice (L) components. Here, we developed cost-effective, and low-toxic thermoelectrics for high-efficiency energy conversion using novel industry-level approach, coupled with nanostructure and band engineering strategies. Through effective design of thermoelectric materials with engineered chemistry and unique structure, and advanced manufacturing, high-performance thermoelectrics, such as Cu2Se,[3] Bi2Se3,[4] Bi2Te3,[5-8] In3Se4,[9, 10] etc., have been realised in our group. Such innovative technology can be used for harvesting electricity from waste heat or sun light.
References
[1] Z.-G. Chen, G. Han, L. Yang, et al., Prog. Nat. Sci. 2012, 22, 535.
[2] G. Han, Z.-G. Chen, J. Drennan, et al., Small 2014, 10, 2747.
[3] L. Yang, Z.-G. Chen, G. Han, et al., Nano Energy 2015, 16, 367.
[4] M. Hong, Z.-G. Chen, L. Yang, et al., Adv. Elect. Mater. 2015, 1, 201500025.
[5] G. Han, Z.-G. Chen, L. Yang, et al., Acs Appl. Mater. Inter. 2015, 7, 989.
[6] L. Cheng, Z.-G. Chen, L. Yang, et al., J. Phy. Chem. C 2013, 117, 12458.
[7] L. Yang, Z.-G. Chen, M. Hong, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Inter. 2015, 7, 23694.
[8] L. Cheng, Z.-G. Chen, S. Ma, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 18920.
[9] G. Han, Z.-G. Chen, L. Yang, et al., Cryst. Growth & Design 2013, 13, 5092.
[10] G. Han, Z.-G. Chen, C. Sun, et al., CrystEngComm 2014, 16, 393.
Primary author
Dr
Zhigang Chen
(the University of Queensland)
