Issue 2, 2015

Measuring thermoelectric transport properties of materials

Abstract

In this review we discuss considerations regarding the common techniques used for measuring thermoelectric transport properties necessary for calculating the thermoelectric figure of merit, zT. Advice for improving the data quality in Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity (from flash diffusivity and heat capacity) measurements are given together with methods for identifying possible erroneous data. Measurement of the Hall coefficient and calculation of the charge carrier concentration and mobility is also included due to its importance for understanding materials. It is not intended to be a complete record or comparison of all the different techniques employed in thermoelectrics. Rather, by providing an overview of common techniques and their inherent difficulties it is an aid to new researchers or students in the field. The focus is mainly on high temperature measurements but low temperature techniques are also briefly discussed.

Graphical abstract: Measuring thermoelectric transport properties of materials

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
28 Apr 2014
Accepted
23 Sep 2014
First published
23 Sep 2014

Energy Environ. Sci., 2015,8, 423-435

Measuring thermoelectric transport properties of materials

K. A. Borup, J. de Boor, H. Wang, F. Drymiotis, F. Gascoin, X. Shi, L. Chen, M. I. Fedorov, E. Müller, B. B. Iversen and G. J. Snyder, Energy Environ. Sci., 2015, 8, 423 DOI: 10.1039/C4EE01320D

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