Plasma synthesis of nanostructures for improved thermoelectric properties

The utilization of silicon-based materials for thermoelectrics is studied with respect to the synthesis and processing of doped silicon nanoparticles from gas phase plasma synthesis. It is found that plasma synthesis enables the formation of spherical, highly crystalline and soft-agglomerated materi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physics. D, Applied physics Applied physics, 2011-05, Vol.44 (17), p.174034
Main Authors: Petermann, Nils, Stein, Niklas, Schierning, Gabi, Theissmann, Ralf, Stoib, Benedikt, Brandt, Martin S, Hecht, Christian, Schulz, Christof, Wiggers, Hartmut
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Exact sciences and technology
Low-dimensional structures (superlattices, quantum well structures, multilayers): structure, and nonelectronic properties
Materials science
Methods of nanofabrication
Nanocrystalline materials
Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization
Physics
Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges
Physics of plasmas and electric discharges
Plasma applications
Surfaces and interfaces
thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties)
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Summary:The utilization of silicon-based materials for thermoelectrics is studied with respect to the synthesis and processing of doped silicon nanoparticles from gas phase plasma synthesis. It is found that plasma synthesis enables the formation of spherical, highly crystalline and soft-agglomerated materials. We discuss the requirements for the formation of dense sintered bodies, while keeping the crystallite size small. Small particles a few tens of nanometres and below that are easily achievable from plasma synthesis, and a weak surface oxidation, both lead to a pronounced sinter activity about 350 K below the temperature usually needed for the successful densification of silicon. The thermoelectric properties of our sintered materials are comparable to the best results found for nanocrystalline silicon prepared by methods other than plasma synthesis.
ISSN:0022-3727
1361-6463
DOI:10.1088/0022-3727/44/17/174034