Tellurium-Free Thermoelectric Modules by Interface Engineering

THERMOS targets the development of highly efficient thermoelectric (TE) modules based on nanograined Zintl-phase materials for solid-state cooling and conversion from heat to electricity. 

The complete process chain in THERMOS uses scalable processing techniques from the synthesis of nanopowders by high energy ball-milling, compaction, to the assembly of TE devices. In contrast to commercial Bi2Te3 modules, the project consortium will develop modules free of the scarce element tellurium with higher performance. We selected the n-type Mg3(Sb,Bi)2 and p-type MgAgSb semiconductors that contain abundant elements for the THERMOS device. We target a greatly enhanced heat-to-power conversion efficiency (n) of 8-9% in comparison to Bi2Te3 from 20 to 300 °C, and a TE cooling (AT) of ~60 to 70 °C that is competitive to Bi2Te3-based modules. The moderate price, abundance and non-toxicity of the elements constituting the Mg-based Zintl-phases materials in THERMOS make them ideal candidates to substitute the highly toxic and scarce Bi2Te3 and to boost their commercialization.

PCI2022-132940 funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and EU/NextGenerationEU/PRTR