Fabrication of a CoSb3-based thermoelectric module

A CoSb3-based thermoelectric module was fabricated using Ce0.45Co2.5Fe1.5Sb12 p-type leg and Yb0.25Co4Sb12/Yb2O3 n-type leg. Ag-Cu foil was used to construct the junction of hot side legs. With two p-n couples, the module generated a maximum output power (P-max) of 140 mW and a maximum open-circuit voltage (V-o) of 210 mV under the thermal condition of hot side temperature T-h = 810 K and a temperature difference Delta T = 490 K. No deterioration in output power in vacuum was seen when thermal cycle of five times for the module was carried out under T-h = 810 K and Delta T = 490 K with natural cooling to room temperature, which shows the module has high durability. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.