Thermoelectric and Thermal Properties of the Materials for the Flexible Thermoelectric Generator Application

Promising methods for obtaining thermoelectric materials on the basis of Bi
₂
Te
₃
and Sb
₂
Te
₃
for low temperature thermoelectric generators are proposed in this article. Thermoelectric and thermal properties of these materials were investigated in the temperature range from ambient temperature up to 330 °C. Thermal stability of these materials was also analyzed. Thermoelectric figure of merit of obtained materials was determined. The working temperature ranges for each material with maximum values of Z=(2.8-3.2)·10
^-3
K
^-1
were determined. Using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry, it was established that there are no obvious thermal effects and mass changes of investigated samples during multiple measurements. Thus, the studied materials are thermally stable in the mentioned temperature ranges and can be used in low temperature flexible thermoelectric generators.