管形TEG的等离子喷涂制备及其热电性能

Thermoelectric generator (TEG) can directly convert heat gradient into electricity by the motion of charge carriers. However, comparing with the development in thermoelectric materials, the difficulty in processing them into engineering devices limits TEG applications. Atmospheric plasma spraying, as a flexible and cost-effective manufacturing process, is employed to manufacture higher manganese silicide (HMS) based tubular TEG. The as-sprayed HMS deposition is characterized for phase structure and microstructure. The voltage output is measured to assess the thermoelectric performance of the P-N unit in tubular TEG. The results show that a multi-layer tubular TEG is sprayed successfully. The HMS depositon keeps the same phase structure with original powder, while the volume of monatomic Si is reduced for the rapid cooling in plasma spraying. Under the ambient cooling condition, the voltage output of single P-N unit can reach 24. 69 mV when cylindrical heat source is 450℃, which meets the minimum voltage input requirement of ultralow energy harvesting device.