CONTEXT

The method involves making a skutterudite alloy by mechanosynthesis of crystalline alloy compounds having a cubic structure and thermoelectric properties.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The method involves making a skutterudite alloy by mechanosynthesis of crystalline alloy compounds having a cubic structure and thermoelectric properties. The mechanosynthesis involves the synthesis of the alloy compounds by dry co-grinding or in the presence of a process control agent, from original materials constituted of pure or pre-allied components in a high energy grinder to obtain nanopowders. The constituents of the alloy are selected from a first component comprising transition metal(s), a second component comprising at least one element chosen from the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth columns of the Periodic Table, and a third component selected from rare earths, alkalis, alkaline earths and/or actinide. The invention also concerns the thermoelectric material obtained by implementing said method.

BENEFITS

The method does not require a high temperature annealing stage after synthesis, thus reducing the manufacturing cost. Mechanosynthesis permits producing quantities adapted to industrial productions and a certain reproducibility. The mechanosynthesis does not cause thermoelectric degradation and enables obtaining nanopowders that can be packed at 300°C without chemical evolution. The mechanosynthesis permits to make filled or partially filled skutterudite compositions in the form of nanopowders that can be obtained only by thermodynamic metastability. The mechanosynthesis produces a powder whose grain shape and size facilitate in improving the thermoelectric properties.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Used for making a skutterudite type thermoelectric material that is integrated in a thermoelectric device, using the Peltier and/or Seeback effect, for energy conversion such as converting heat into electric-power, and is coupled to other types of materials to form multimaterials structures presenting thermal and/or electrical conductivity gradients.