METHOD OF PRODUCING NANOCOMPOSITE THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION ELEMENT

摘要

A method of producing a nanocomposite thermoelectric conversion element in which nanosized phonon-scattering particles are dispersed in a thermoelectric conversion element matrix, the method having a step of carrying out a hydrothermal treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere on a mixture of nanoparticles of each of elements constituting the thermoelectric conversion element, in order to oxidize a portion of the most easily oxidized element among the elements and thereby forming oxide particles that function as nanosized phonon-scattering particles, while concurrently alloying the other elements with the remainder of the most easily oxidized element to form a thermoelectric conversion element matrix, and a step of sintering the obtained mixture of oxide particles and thermoelectric conversion element matrix.