METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CRYSTAL-ORIENTED BULK ZnO-BASED SINTERED MATERIAL, AND THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE MANUFACTURED THEREBY

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method by which a crystal-oriented bulk ZnO-based sintered material the thermoelectric characteristic of which is improved and prevented from fluctuating by crystal orientation and which has a superior environmental load characteristic can be manufactured, and a thermoelectric conversion device obtained by the method. SOLUTION: In the method, the powder of ZnO, which is the material that is to become the template of a crystal-oriented material and has shape anisotropy or its precursor is mixed with a material, which generates a conductive oxide having crystal anisotropy caused through a reaction to the ZnO or precursor powder and the mixture is molded under a room-temperature condition, so that the powder having the shape anisotropy is oriented in one direction. Then the molded body is combined through heat treatment, and is thereafter sintered.