Verwendung eines Silberselenids in einem Thermoelement

A thermoelectric device component e.g. a thermocouple, has as its negative element an alloy of silver and selenium containing 55 to 68 atom per cent of silver, said alloy having an absolute value for its thermoelectric power of at least 120 microvolts per degree Centigrade and an electrical resistivity of less than 15 X 10-4 ohm. cm. The term "alloy" includes stoichiometric amounts of silver and selenium as well as small excesses, such as 0.5 atom per cent, of either metal. The silver selenide alloy may be prepared by reacting silver nitrate and zinc selenide in an aqueous medium or by melting silver and selenium together.ALSO:An alloy of silver and selenium containing from 55-68 atom per cent silver, said alloy having an absolute value for its thermoelectric power of at least 120 microvolts per degree Centrigrade and an electrical resistivity of less than 15X10-4 ohm cm., is used as the negative element of a thermoelectric device, e.g. a thermocouple. The term "alloy" includes stoichiometric amounts of silver and selenium as well as small excesses, such as 0.5 atom per cent of either metal. The silver selenide alloy may be prepared by reacting silver nitrate and zinc selenide in an aqueous medium or by melting silver and selenium together. The positive thermoelectric element may be bismuth or lead telluride.