Ceramics-Silikáty 58 (2) 106-110 (2014)

TOWARDS HIGHLY EFFICIENT THERMOELECTRICS: Ca₃Co₄O_9+δ · n CaZrO₃ COMPOSITE

We successfully prepared Ca₃Co₄O_9+δ · n CaZrO₃ composites by a ceramic route. These composites were characterized by X-Ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, transport properties (Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity) were measured and the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT was determined. Addition of CaZrO₃ led to a suppression of thermal conductivity of the samples. A high thermal stability connected to the interesting thermoelectric properties made this material a potential candidate for the p type cell in the high-temperature thermoelectric batteries.

Keywords: Misfit cobaltites, Thermoelectric materials, Composites