Geometry Optimization Strategies for Dual Enhancement of Power and Efficiency in All‐Mg <sub>3</sub> Sb <sub>1.5</sub> Bi <sub>0.5</sub> Thermoelectric Devices

Mg<sub>3</sub>Sb<sub>2</sub>-Mg<sub>3</sub>Bi<sub>2</sub> solid-solutions exhibit excellent thermoelectric (TE) performance in power generation and cooling. However, reports on fully Mg<sub>3</sub>(Sb,Bi)<sub>2</sub>-based TE devices remain limited, due to performance imbalance between p-type and n-type counterparts. In such cases, geometric design optimization is essential for achieving either a maximum power density (ω<sub>max</sub>) or maximum conversion efficiency (η<sub>max</sub>). Simultaneous improvement is often difficult due to compromises in the device fill factor. In this study, simultaneous enhancement of ω<sub>max</sub> and η<sub>max</sub> is demonstrated in a fully Mg<sub>3</sub>Sb<sub>1.5</sub>Bi<sub>0.5</sub> device through optimized design. Two-pair devices are fabricated using p- and n-type doped Mg<sub>3</sub>Sb<sub>1.5</sub>Bi<sub>0.5</sub> materials with Cu/Fe multilayer electrical contacts.The optimum cross-sectional area ratio (A<sub>n</sub>/A<sub>p</sub>) is calculated using the constant properties model. Accordingly, a revised device architecture is designed to accommodate the optimum A<sub>n</sub>/A<sub>p</sub> = 1:2 without compromising the fill factor. Finite element simulations predict a combined improvement in ω<sub>max</sub> and η<sub>max</sub> compared to a non-optimized 1:1 design. Simulations are experimentally validated with A<sub>n</sub>/A<sub>p</sub> = 1:1 and 1:2 devices, showing a"double-high" improvement more than 10 % in ω<sub>max</sub> and η<sub>max</sub> at ΔT ≈465 K. The proposed optimization strategy provides a general approach to enhance both power output and conversion efficiency in various p-n thermoelectric material combinations.

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Small
Published
2025-11-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202508990
Primary Topic
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Geometry Optimization Strategies for Dual Enhancement of Power and Efficiency in All‐Mg 3 Sb 1.5 Bi 0.5 Thermoelectric Devices

Raju Chetty, Takao Mori, Jayachandran Babu
Small
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
article

Geometry Optimization Strategies for Dual Enhancement of Power and Efficiency in All‐Mg 3 Sb 1.5 Bi 0.5 Thermoelectric Devices

Raju Chetty, Takao Mori, Jayachandran Babu
article en

Abstract

Mg<sub>3</sub>Sb<sub>2</sub>-Mg<sub>3</sub>Bi<sub>2</sub> solid-solutions exhibit excellent thermoelectric (TE) performance in power generation and cooling. However, reports on fully Mg<sub>3</sub>(Sb,Bi)<sub>2</sub>-based TE devices remain limited, due to performance imbalance between p-type and n-type counterparts. In such cases, geometric design optimization is essential for achieving either a maximum power density (ω<sub>max</sub>) or maximum conversion efficiency (η<sub>max</sub>). Simultaneous improvement is often difficult due to compromises in the device fill factor. In this study, simultaneous enhancement of ω<sub>max</sub> and η<sub>max</sub> is demonstrated in a fully Mg<sub>3</sub>Sb<sub>1.5</sub>Bi<sub>0.5</sub> device through optimized design. Two-pair devices are fabricated using p- and n-type doped Mg<sub>3</sub>Sb<sub>1.5</sub>Bi<sub>0.5</sub> materials with Cu/Fe multilayer electrical contacts.The optimum cross-sectional area ratio (A<sub>n</sub>/A<sub>p</sub>) is calculated using the constant properties model. Accordingly, a revised device architecture is designed to accommodate the optimum A<sub>n</sub>/A<sub>p</sub> = 1:2 without compromising the fill factor. Finite element simulations predict a combined improvement in ω<sub>max</sub> and η<sub>max</sub> compared to a non-optimized 1:1 design. Simulations are experimentally validated with A<sub>n</sub>/A<sub>p</sub> = 1:1 and 1:2 devices, showing a"double-high" improvement more than 10 % in ω<sub>max</sub> and η<sub>max</sub> at ΔT ≈465 K. The proposed optimization strategy provides a general approach to enhance both power output and conversion efficiency in various p-n thermoelectric material combinations.

SmallVol. 22(2)
University of Tsukuba (JP), National Institute for Materials Science (JP)
JST-Mirai Program
Openalex Percentile: Top 72%
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
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