Thermoelectric Properties of Zn_xIn_yO_x+_1.5y Films

Authors

Otto J. Gregory, University of Rhode IslandFollow
Matin Amani, University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

2011

Abstract

Ceramic thin film thermocouples are being developed to replace noble metal thermocouples operating within the harsh environments of advanced turbine engines used for power generation and propulsion. Seebeck coefficients as large as 158 V/°C were determined for indium oxide (In₂O₃) at 950°C and 256 V/°C for zinc oxide ZnO at 1250°C relative to platinum reference electrodes. Because these Seebeck coefficients are appreciably larger than those for metallic thermocouples, alloys in the system indium zinc oxide Zn_xIn_yO_x+1.5y were investigated by cosputtering from high purity ZnO and In₂O₃ targets. Thermocouple libraries were patterned with platinum reference electrodes and rapidly screened using combinatorial chemistry techniques. Thermoelectric response, power, and resistivity were determined for each thermocouple in the library. Thermocouples with the optimum compositions were prepared and the resulting power factor of the biceramic junctions was determined from 75 to 650°C.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Gregory, O. J., & Amani, M. (2011). Thermoelectric Properties of Zn_xIn_yO_x+1.5y Films. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 158(2), J15-J19. doi: 10.1149/1.3518412

Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/1.3518412

Publisher Statement

© The Electrochemical Society, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved. Except as provided under U.S. copyright law, this work may not be reproduced, resold, distributed, or modified without the express permission of The Electrochemical Society (ECS).