Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Ce0.85Fe3CoSb12/rGO Thermoelectric Nanocomposite

doi:10.15541/jim20160220

Abstract

Abstract:

Comparing to n-type filled skutterudite, p-type one owns poorer mechanical propertities, which becomes the weak link of integration and the design of skutterudite based thermoelectric devices. By utilizing outstanding wettability and hydrophily of graphene oxide (GO), network wrapping and homogeneous dispersion of GO were realized in Ce_0.85Fe₃CoSb₁₂matrix particles via liquid dispersion. Spark plasma sintering was adopted to realize coherent densification and in-situ reduction of GO to rGO. Thus a 2-5 nm thick three dimensional reduced graphene oxide (rGO) wrapping structure in Ce_.85Fe₃CoSb₁₂/rGO nanocomposite was obtained, which would enhance the flexural strength and toughness by additional crack-expanding work with bridging effect. Comparing to the pure Ce_0.85Fe₃CoSb₁₂material, flexural strength and toughness of Ce_.85Fe₃CoSb₁₂/rGO nanocomposite with 2.8vol% rGO were enhanced by up to 40% and 33%, respectively. Reinforcing and toughening effects were weakened when rGO content farther increased, due to the thickened rGO layers in the matrix grain boundaries.

Key words: thermoelectric materials, skutterudite, graphene, nanocomposite, mechanical properties

CLC Number:

TQ174

ZONG Peng-An, CHEN Li-Dong. Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Ce_0.85Fe₃CoSb₁₂/rGO Thermoelectric Nanocomposite[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2017, 32(1): 33-38.

Figures/Tables 8

Fig. 1 Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis curves of GO

Fig. 2 Raman spectra of GO and rGO (850K-SPSed GO)

Fig. 3 Powder XRD patterns of the sintered Ce0.85Fe3 CoSb12/ yvol% rGO (y = 0, 0.56, 1.4, 2.8)

Fig. 4 (a) High resolution TEM image of fold GO sheet edge, (b) TEM image of Ce0.85Fe3CoSb12/1.4vol% GO mixed powder, (c) HADDF-STEM image of the SPSed Ce0.85Fe3CoSb12/ 1.4vol% rGO bulk surface and (d) Local high resolution HADDF-STEM image of the Ce0.85Fe3CoSb12/1.4vol% rGO bulk interface

Fig. 5 Surface EDS patterns of the sintered Ce0.85Fe3CoSb12/2.8vol% rGO bulk nanocomposite

Fig. 6 Three-point flexural strength (σ) and fracture toughness (KIC) of the Ce0.85Fe3CoSb12/yvol% rGO (y = 0, 0.56, 1.4, 2.8) composites as a function of rGO content

Fig. 7 (a) Fracture SEM image of the Ce0.85Fe3CoSb12/ 1.4vol% rGO bulk nanocomposite; (b) SEM image of the expanded crack of the Ce0.85Fe3CoSb12/1.4vol% rGO bulk nanocomposite and (c,d) TEM images of failed crack with breaked rGO (example I, II)

Fig. 8 Schematic toughing mechanism by rGO

References 21

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Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Ce_0.85Fe₃CoSb₁₂/rGO Thermoelectric Nanocomposite

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