Physical, Mechanical, and Structural Properties of Highly Efficient Nanostructured n- and p-Silicides for Practical Thermoelectric Applications

Cost-effective highly efficient nanostructured n-type Mg2Si1-x Sn (x) and p-type higher manganese silicide (HMS) compositions were prepared for the development of practical waste heat generators for automotive and marine thermoelectric applications, in the frame of the European Commission (EC)-funded PowerDriver project. The physical, mechanical, and structural properties were fully characterized as part of a database-generation exercise required for the thermoelectric converter design. A combination of high maximal ZT values of similar to 0.6 and similar to 1.1 for the HMS and Mg2Si1-x Sn (x) compositions, respectively, and adequate mechanical properties was obtained.