Bulk Nanostructured Silicide Thermoelectric Materials by Reversible Hydrogen Absorption–Desorption

Imants Dirba, Yevhen Ablets, Konstantin Skokov, Esmaeil Adabifiroozjaei, Leopoldo Molina-Luna, Oliver Gutfleisch

In this interdisciplinary work, for the first time the production of bulk nanostructured silicide thermoelectric materials by a reversible hydrogen absorption-desorption process is demonstrated. The advanced synthesis process enables microstructure refinement more than two orders of magnitude, from around 50 μm in the initial ingot to 100 nm – 200 nm. Furthermore, fine 10 nm – 50 nm precipitates are forming inside the grains. Moreover, the process is environmentally friendly since hydrogen is reversibly absorbed, desorbed and can be fully recovered.

Small 2023, 2208098.
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202208098