Thermoelectric Property Mapping for High‐Performance Integrated MgAgSb‐MgCuSb System

To achieve high conversion efficiency in thermoelectric (TE) modules, not only thermoelectric materials (TEMs) with high figure-of-merit zT but also the optimization of thermoelectric interface materials (TEiMs) is required. For TEMs, enhancing zT relies on increasing power factor PF and lowering thermal conductivity κ, while for TEiMs, high electrical conductivity and κ are essential, which highlights the importance of the integrated design of TEMs and TEiMs. In this work, we select p-type MgAgSb as the object and construct a TE property mapping of the integrated MgAgSb-MgCuSb two-phase system by tuning the Ag/Cu ratio. Based on the thermoelectric property mapping, Ag-rich compositions exhibit superior PF and zT values for TEM, maximized in PF∼21 µW cm<sup>-1</sup> K<sup>-2</sup>, zT = 1.12 for MgAg<sub>0.97</sub>Cu<sub>0.03</sub>Sb. Conversely, Cu-rich composition MgAg<sub>0.05</sub>Cu<sub>0.95</sub>Sb is identified as the optimal TEiM for its low contact resistance and superior carrier and phonon transport properties, reducing energy loss. A two-pair thermoelectric module integrated with n-type Mg<sub>3</sub>(Sb, Bi)<sub>2</sub> is successfully fabricated, yielding a peak conversion efficiency of ∼7.2%, thereby advancing the performance of current Mg-based TE modules. Overall, this study realizes the synergistic optimization of high-performance TE materials and compatible TE interface materials, paving the way for the fabrication of efficient and scalable TE modules.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Science
Published
2026-01-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202520889
Primary Topic
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Thermoelectric Property Mapping for High‐Performance Integrated MgAgSb‐MgCuSb System

Airan Li, Raju Chetty, Xinzhi Wu, Longquan Wang et al.
Advanced Science
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
article

Thermoelectric Property Mapping for High‐Performance Integrated MgAgSb‐MgCuSb System

Airan Li, Raju Chetty, Xinzhi Wu, Longquan Wang, Jiankang Li, Takao Mori
article en

Abstract

To achieve high conversion efficiency in thermoelectric (TE) modules, not only thermoelectric materials (TEMs) with high figure-of-merit zT but also the optimization of thermoelectric interface materials (TEiMs) is required. For TEMs, enhancing zT relies on increasing power factor PF and lowering thermal conductivity κ, while for TEiMs, high electrical conductivity and κ are essential, which highlights the importance of the integrated design of TEMs and TEiMs. In this work, we select p-type MgAgSb as the object and construct a TE property mapping of the integrated MgAgSb-MgCuSb two-phase system by tuning the Ag/Cu ratio. Based on the thermoelectric property mapping, Ag-rich compositions exhibit superior PF and zT values for TEM, maximized in PF∼21 µW cm<sup>-1</sup> K<sup>-2</sup>, zT = 1.12 for MgAg<sub>0.97</sub>Cu<sub>0.03</sub>Sb. Conversely, Cu-rich composition MgAg<sub>0.05</sub>Cu<sub>0.95</sub>Sb is identified as the optimal TEiM for its low contact resistance and superior carrier and phonon transport properties, reducing energy loss. A two-pair thermoelectric module integrated with n-type Mg<sub>3</sub>(Sb, Bi)<sub>2</sub> is successfully fabricated, yielding a peak conversion efficiency of ∼7.2%, thereby advancing the performance of current Mg-based TE modules. Overall, this study realizes the synergistic optimization of high-performance TE materials and compatible TE interface materials, paving the way for the fabrication of efficient and scalable TE modules.

Advanced ScienceVol. 13(17)
University of Tsukuba (JP), National Institute for Materials Science (JP)
JST-Mirai Program
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 87%
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.