Thermoelectric materials and devices comprising graphene
AssigneeThe University of Manchester
InventorsRobert Freer, Colin Norman, Yue Lin, Deepanshu Srivastava, Ian Kinloch
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Abstract
Composite materials with thermoelectric properties and devices made from such materials are described. The thermoelectric composite material may comprise a metal oxide material and graphene or modified graphene. It has been found that the addition of graphene or modified graphene to thermoelectric metal oxide materials increases ZT. It has further been found that the ZT of the metal oxide becomes effective over a broader temperature range and at lower temperatures.
Claims19
A thermoelectric composite material comprising:
- a metal oxide material;
- and
- graphene or modified graphene dispersed throughout the metal oxide material;
- wherein the graphene or modified graphene is present at an amount less than the percolation limit and does not form a percolated network.
A thermoelectric device comprising two or more thermoelectric units;
- wherein at least one thermoelectric unit is a p-type unit and at least one thermoelectric unit is a n-type unit;
- wherein the thermoelectric units are in electrical contact with one another and wherein at least one thermoelectric unit comprises:
- an n-type or p-type metal oxide material;
- and
- graphene or modified graphene dispersed throughout the metal oxide material,
- wherein the graphene or modified graphene is present at an amount less than the percolation limit and does not form a percolated network.
A method of making a thermoelectric composite material, the thermoelectric material comprising:
- an n-type or p-type metal oxide material;
- and
- graphene or modified graphene dispersed throughout the metal oxide material, wherein the graphene or modified graphene is present at an amount less than the percolation limit and does not form a percolated network;
- the method comprising:
- mixing the n-type or p-type metal oxide material with the graphene or modified graphene.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.