Transport Properties of ABX Type Thermoelectric Alloys

Thermoelectric alloys, which can generate electricity from waste heat were gathering attention recently. ABX type ternary alloy in which A and B were transition metals and X was group IVA non-metal elements was studied mainly because of its distinct thermoelectric performance at elevated temperatures. Calculation of transport properties which included Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of ABX type thermoelectric alloys were carried out. The properties of n-type TiNiSn thermoelectric alloys were discussed in detail which included the effect of dopant Nb and Sb, and the second phase formation. The derived empirical equations of transport property were tabulated. The predicted peak value of dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) and primary phases were evaluated. The maximum value of ZT was estimated using Arrhenius relationships for TiNiSn alloys.