Experimental and Computational Investigation of transport in 2D Perovskites and Chalcogenides for thermoelectrics
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Thermoelectric materials have emerged as promising candidates for sustainable energy technologies, as they convert thermal energy to electrical energy through the Seebeck effect. However, with the conflicting relationship between the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity, it is difficult to engineer higher thermoelectric figure of merit values through optimal doping of p-type and n-type elements, making it challenging to enhance the efficiency of thermoelectric materials. Through the synthesis of butylammonium lead iodide (BA2PbI4)-based 2D perovskites and conjugated diammonium ligands, this research investigates the viability of increasing electrical conductivities in 2D perovskites, where the results will be based on the examination of their thermoelectric properties. Meanwhile, the feasibility of incorporating Bismuth Telluride (Bi2Te3)-based thermoelectric generators (TEGs) into cogeneration systems and waste heat recovery systems were also explored through manufacturing prototypes and performing thermo-fluid simulations. The asymmetric density of states around the Fermi Level contributed to the high Seebeck coefficients measured within intrinsic BA2PbI4, but the Seebeck coefficient reduced with increasing atomic percentages of Tin (Sn) being doped with BA2PbI4. Conversely, the electrical conductivity of BA2PbI4 rose with increasing amounts of Sn being doped. With the integration of conjugated diammonium ligands to PbI2, there were no improvements in thermoelectric performances. Moreover, the implementation of Bi2Te3-based TEGs within a cogeneration system resulted in an assembled prototype capable of thermoelectric power generation and thermal storage, while concepts regarding the application of the same TEGs within a waste heat recovery system were verified by the large temperature differences sustained through passive thermal management techniques. The integration of TEGs within self-designed systems indicates their practicality for various applications, contributing to a circular economy by sustainably reducing wasted thermal energy.