IMPROVED THERMOELECTRIC ELEMENT AND THERMOELECTRIC CONVERTER INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE SUCH ELEMENT

摘要

The invention relates to a thermoelectric element, which is especially for a thermoelectric converter, including an assembly of constituent layers comprising a central layer made of p- or n-type thermoelectric material, then, in an assembly direction, and on each side of said central layer, an intermediate layer forming a diffusion barrier followed by a buffer layer made of composite metal material, said buffer layers being intended to be securely fastened to metal electrodes, characterised in that the cumulative thickness of the two buffer layers is larger than or equal to 50% of the thickness of the central layer, and preferably larger than or equal to 100% of the thickness of the central layer and very preferably larger than or equal to 200% of the thickness of the central layer, and in that the constituent material of the buffer layers is an alloy of two metals chosen from the family: Tix Ag1-x, Vx Fe1-x, Vx Ag1-x, Tix Fe1-x, where 0 < x < 1.