New Oxide Thermoelectrics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
As global fuel sources continue to dwindle, the use of energy sources such as thermoelectrics allowing for the generation of electricity from what would otherwise be waste heat, are becoming more important. We will be synthesising and characterising oxide materials with thermoelectric properties based on preliminary work by the group, as well as targeting the formation of new materials. The aim is to develop reproducible synthetic routes of new materials with high figures of merit, using cost effective, air stable and abundant metal oxides
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Matthew Rosseinsky (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Tolly Robinson (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509693/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1797911 | Studentship | EP/N509693/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/08/2020 | Tolly Robinson |
| Description | So far research on this award has focused on the development of new thermoelectric materials. The most successful to date has been the investigation into vanadium doped La2/3TiO3-d. So far we have been able to show that physical properties are independent of vanadium concentration and that structure plays a large part, in determining the thermoelectric response of the material. Research in this area has also allowed us to experimentally control the ordering of the La2/3TiO3 parent structure to a degree not previously seen. Many other structures have been investigated that have either not been persued due to poor initial properties, or their inability to be formed in a phase pure manner. Current work is being completed on translating computational predictions of overly doped materials. These preictions are then taken, and lower dopings than previously attempted are synthesised and the properties measured. Current materials have shown this stratagy to be promising and work is being completed on optimisation of materials using this strategy. |
| Exploitation Route | The materials that have currently been investigated do not represent a significant improvement over the current state of the art. However the degree of control we have exerted over an A-site ordered structure may well be interesting to researchers in other applications. The current research currently serves as a signpost for routes that are interesting but do not yield an obvious improvement. The mixture of computational modelling, combined with process optimisation represents an amazing oppurtunity to show how these two disciplines can be intertwined in order to best take advantage of the others skill set. By computationally predicting materials that can be improved, promising materials that have been subsequently abandoned can be reinvestigated if they show promise. |
| Sectors | Electronics,Energy |