Thermoelectric material including nano-inclusions, thermoelectric module and thermoelectric apparatus including the same

摘要

A thermoelectric material including a thermoelectric matrix; and nano-inclusions in the thermoelectric matrix, the nano-inclusions having an average particle diameter of about 10 nanometers to about 30 nanometers.

主权项

1. A thermoelectric material comprising:
a thermoelectric matrix; and nano-inclusions in the thermoelectric matrix, the nano-inclusions having an average particle diameter of about 10 nanometers to about 30 nanometers and a work function in a range of about 3.8 electron volts to about 5.1 electron volts, wherein the nano-inclusions are contained in an amount of about 7.5 volume percent to about 15 volume percent, based on the total volume of the thermoelectric material, wherein the thermoelectric matrix has a composition of Formula 1:
AxBy  Formula 1 wherein A is at least one of Bi and Sb, B is at least one of Te and Se, x is a number in a range of more than 0 and less than or equal to about 2, and y is a number in a range of more than 0 and less than or equal to about 3, and wherein the thermoelectric matrix and the nano-inclusions are in a form of alternating layers wherein a total thickness of a single-layer of the thermoelectric matrix and a single-layer of the nano-inclusions is in a range of about 4 nanometers to about 50 nanometers.