Experimental study of thermoelectric properties for randomly distributed carbon nanotubes and silicon carbide nanoparticles
Abstract
In this experimental study, the thermoelectric (TE) properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles have been investigated. Nanoparticles were randomly disrtibuted on a non-conductive glass or quartz substrate. The carbon nanotubes used were single-walled and multi-walled type, consisting of approximately 60% semiconducting 40% metallic tubes. The experimental design is analogous to that of a thermocouple measurement, with the nanoparticle layers creating hot and cold joints with a dissimilar metal Alumel (Ni-Al). Voltage (mV), current (&mgr;A) and resistance (Ω) values were measured with respect to temperature (°C), and Seeback coefficient values were also calculated in parallel. Summarized results demonstrate SWNTs offer an overall thermoelectric advantage, approximately double in magnitude for voltage, current, and Seebeck coefficient results. Furthermore, isolated SiC nanoparticles demonstrate no TE effect. However, SiC introduce distinctive thermoelectric effects on CNTs dependant on the type of CNTs and the method SiC is introduced (e.g. as a layer vs a compound mixture). Doping of CNTs was also examined and discussed to similarly identify the thermoelectric properties and semiconducting characteristics accordingly.
Subject Area
Mechanical engineering
Recommended Citation
Garcia, Onasis, "Experimental study of thermoelectric properties for randomly distributed carbon nanotubes and silicon carbide nanoparticles" (2011). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI1503718.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI1503718