An Oxide Single Crystal with High Thermoelectric Performance in Air

Authors:
  • RFRyoji Funahashi
    Ryoji Funahashi
  • IMIchiro Matsubara
    Ichiro Matsubara
  • SSSatoshi Sodeoka
    Satoshi Sodeoka
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Abstract
An oxide single-crystalline whisker with high thermoelectric properties at temperatures (T) higher than 600 K in air has been discovered. This whisker is assigned to Ca2Co2O5 phase (abbreviated to Co-225 whiskers) and has a layered structure in which Co–O layers of two different kinds alternate in the direction of the c-axis. Seebeck coefficient of the whiskers is higher than 100 µV·K-1 at 100 K and increases with temperature up to 210 µV·K-1. Temperature dependence of electric resistivity shows a semiconducting-like behavior. These results indicate that the electric carriers are transported via hopping conduction. Using thermal conductivity of a Co-225 polycrystalline sample, figure of merit (Z T) of the Co-225 whiskers is estimated 1.2–2.7 at T≥873 K. This compound is characterized with regard to low mobility and high density of carriers, which contradicts the conventional materials with high thermoelectric properties.

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