N-type thermoelectric recycled carbon fibre sheet with electrochemically deposited Bi2Te3

An N-type thermoelectric recycled carbon fibre sheet with bismuth telluride coating has been successfully synthesised through an electro-deposition technique. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical properties of the combined recycled carbon fibre sheet and bismuth telluride films are reported. Classification of the crystal structure, surface morphology and the elemental composition of the resulting deposits are methodically characterised by XRD, SEM and EDX. Cyclic voltammetry is also carried out in nitric acid solutions to investigate the right range of deposition potential. The synthesis N-type thermoelectric sheet has a highest attainable Seebeck coefficient of −54μVK−1 and an electrical resistivity of 8.9×10−5Ωm. The results show slight differences in morphologies and thermoelectric properties for the films deposited at varying deposition potential. The increase in thermoelectrical properties of the recycled carbon fibre is in line with the development of using coated recycled fibre for thermoelectrical applications. SEM image of an N-type thermoelectric recycled carbon fibre sheet with Bi2Te3 coatings. [Display omitted] ► N-type thermoelectric sheet is synthesis through the electrodeposition of Bi2Te3. ► Bi2Te3 composition can be controlled by varying the deposition voltage. ► Seebeck coefficient and electrical properties of the combined sheet were reported. ► Material characterisations of the deposits are done using XRD, SEM and EDX.