Fabrication and power generation characteristics of p-NaCo ₂O₄/n-ZnO oxide thermoelectric modules

A prototype of thermoelectric module using oxide materials has been successfully fabricated, and the power generation characteristics have been examined in the high temperature region around 773 K (500 °C). Twelve couples of sintered p-NaCo₂O₄ and n-ZnO materials were connected via silver conducting strips with a planer arrangement jointed by using a diffusion welding technique under 16 MPa at 1023 K in Ar. A maximum power output of 58 mW was achieved at a temperature condition of T _H/T_L= 839/377 K. The details of the power generation characteristics of the oxide module will be presented and the performance will be discussed with other oxide modules.