Copper(I) oxide based thermoelectric powders and pastes with high Seebeck coefficients

Copper(I) oxide based compounds are investigated as earth abundant, environmentally friendly thermoelectric materials. Copper(I) oxide powders from different vendors are first examined, resulting in Seebeck coefficients of approximately 650 mu V/K. Pastes of the powders with two different polymer matrices, polychlorotrifluoroethene and polydimethylsiloxane, in various mass ratios produce values reaching 567 +/- 5 mu V/K. Small quantities of transition metal oxides added to the already mentioned compounds produce further enhancements of 729 +/- 4 mu V/K in case of the powders and 606 +/- 5 mu V/K for the polymers. The results offer motivation for further research in the field of thermoelectric pastes, which is still in its foundation stage. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.