Experimental investigation of Seebeck effect in metakaolin-based geopolymer

This paper reports the Seebeck effect of metakaolin-based geopolymer and discusses potential mechanisms. Results show that metakaolin-based geopolymer is a P-type thermoelectric material with very high Seebeck coefficient of around 2000 mu N/degrees C, four orders higher than the normal PC paste. Furthermore, metakaolin-based geopolymers exhibit a superior thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of around 10(-4), six orders higher than the normal PC paste. This suggests metakaolin-based geopolymer not only can be used as a thermal couple for temperature sensing but also has great potential to be used as an energy generator for thermal energy harvesting. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study examines the Seebeck effect of metakaolin-based geopolymer, showing high Seebeck coefficient and superior thermoelectric figure of merit, indicating its potential for use as a thermoelectric material.