METHOD FOR PRODUCING A THERMOELECTRIC SOLID ELEMENT

摘要

The present invention relates to a method 931 for producing a solid element, which comprises the thermoelectrically active material beta-Zn4Sb3. The method utilizes that is possible to directly synthesize and press pellets of Zn4Sb3 starting from powders of Zn and Sb, by mixing 930 powders of Zn and Sb so as to obtain a mixed powder comprising elemental zinc and elemental antimony, placing 932 the mixed powder in a container and simultaneously applying 936 a pulsed current, such as to heat up the powders, and applying 938 a pressure such as to compact the powder mix. The gist of the invention might be seen as exploiting the basic insight, that the cumbersome and time- and energy consuming steps of synthesis and pressing of Zn and Sb, so as to achieve a solid element comprising Zn4Sb3, can be combined into a single step where the synthesis and pressing is effected simultaneously.