Simultaneous Optimization of Thermoelectric Transport and Mechanical Performance in Full‐Zintl CaCd 2 Sb 2 /Mg 3 Sb 2 Thermoelectric Modules
ABSTRACT Achieving both high thermoelectric performance and robust mechanical strength remains a key pursuit for the practical deployment of thermoelectric applications. Herein, a solid‐solution approach is employed in CaCd 2 Sb 2 via alloying with EuMg 2 Sb 2 , achieving a synergistic optimization of electrical and phonon transport and mechanical performance. The incorporation of EuMg 2 Sb 2 facilitates band degeneracy, thereby substantially improving the electrical transport properties. Together with the reduced thermal conductivity, the optimized composition exhibits a peak zT of ∼ 1.4 at 750 K and an average zT of ∼ 0.81 between 300 and 750 K. Furthermore, solid‐solution strengthening markedly enhances the mechanical properties, thereby ensuring mechanical integrity for reliable device integration. Leveraging transient liquid phase bonding, a 2 × 2 full‐Zintl module combining this optimized p‐type material with Mg 3 Sb 2 ‐based n‐type legs achieves a conversion efficiency of ∼ 11% at a temperature difference of 422 K. This work highlights the viability of Zintl phases toward high‐efficiency thermoelectric modules.
Authors
- Ruihuan Cheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3920-5292)
- Wenhua Xue (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6335-1519)
- Jinsuo Hu
- Yuxin Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8146-4257)
- Xiaofang Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5333-7298)
- Chen Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0912-2242)
- Yue Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5811-6936)
- Haiqi Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3992-9553)
- Dongyi Shen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3245-0396)
- Yujie Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8398-4233)
- Xiaodong Wang
- Huajian Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9594-2784)
- Kejia Liu
Institutions
- Harbin Institute of Technology (CN)
- Wuhan University (CN)
- Great Bay University (CN)
- University of Hong Kong (HK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Energy Materials
- Published
- 2026-10-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.71756
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Program