Synthesis and characterization of p-type Ca2.5Ag0.3Nd0.2Co4O9 thermoelectric materials for high-temperature aerospace applications
摘要
In this study, Ca2.5Ag0.3Nd0.2Co4O9 polycrystalline ceramics were synthesized via the sol-gel method for high-temperature thermoelectric applications in aerospace. The stable solution was prepared from precursors, solvent, and chelating agent at 25 oC under ambient conditions. Homogeneous xerogels prepared by the sol-gel method were dried at 200 °C and calcined at 800 °C to form Ca2.5Ag0.3Nd0.2Co4O9 powders. The powders were cold-pressed into pellets at 400 MPa and sintered at 900 °C for 24 h in air to produce bulk samples. After the material is manufactured using the sol-gel process, it is thoroughly characterized thermally, structurally, and morphologically using TG-DTA, FTIR, XRD, XPS, and SEM. Thermoelectric characteristics, including the Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity, are systematically measured. TG-DTA, FTIR, and XRD results revealed that thermal treatment up to 800-900 °C under oxidative conditions ensured decomposition of organics and nitrates, promoting formation of the Ca3Co4O9with minor Ca3O4 phase. XRD and XPS analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of Ag and Nd dopants and the material’s p-type semiconducting nature. SEM revealed typical plate-like, flake microstructures. Thermoelectric characterization showed a Seebeck coefficient of 267.79 µV/K, electrical resistivity of 14.09 mΩ·cm, and a maximum power factor of 0.51 mW/mK² at 800 °C. The thermal conductivity remained low (1.09 W/mK at 200 °C; 1.06 W/mK at 800 °C), preserving the temperature gradient and enhancing energy conversion efficiency. These findings demonstrate that Ca2.5Ag0.3Nd0.2Co4O9 ceramics exhibit a stable structure and promising thermoelectric performance at high temperatures, making them strong candidates for energy harvesting in aerospace and industrial environments.