Enhanced thermoelectric performance of copper iodide particles/nanowires composite in the low-temperature range

Abstract

Thermoelectric (TE) energy harvesting presents a viable method for reducing energy waste by transforming waste thermal energy into electricity. In this study, we fabricated copper iodide (CuI) composites using synthesized CuI nanowires (NWs) and particles to enhance TE performance in the low-temperature range. The Seebeck coefficient (S) was notably higher when a combination of CuI particles and NWs was used, reaching a maximum S of 1614.24 μV K⁻¹ with a 60% NWs content at RT. Electrical conductivity (σ) exhibited an inverse correlation with S, with higher values detected when either particles or NWs were used only. The highest power factor (PF) of 128.44 μW m⁻¹K⁻² was recorded at RT with 60% NWs content, demonstrating improved TE performance. Thermal conductivity (κ) diminished when different material structures were employed, enhancing phonon scattering. The maximum figure of merit (ZT) achieved was ∼0.14 with 60% NWs content at 425 K, indicating the potential of this method for improving TE performance. This study offers valuable insights into optimizing TE performance using CuI composites, proposing a promising strategy for energy harvesting from low-temperature sources.