Improving the Efficiency and Pressure Resistance of Inorganic Sealant–Filled Thermoelectric Module

Thermoelectric generators have garnered considerable attention because of their ability to convert thermal energy directly into electricity. In this study, we propose a method to improve the pressure resistance and power generation of thermoelectric modules (TEMs). Silicate inorganic sealant and hollow glass beads, which have good electrical and thermal insulation properties, were used as fillers. A complete hybrid filling process was developed to fill the gaps in the TEM using the filler. Self-made experimental instruments were developed to study the effects of various factors, such as temperature, pressure, and mixing ratio of the filler, affecting the TEM power generation performance. The results showed that the filler effectively improved the compressive strength of the TEM, increasing the pressure resistance of the TEM from 10 MPa to 30 MPa. Moreover, the filled TEM generated 2.17 W at 30 MPa, which was 50.69% higher than that of commercially available pressure-resistant TEM with similar sizes. These results can help in the use of TEM in high-pressure environments.