Quasicrystals exhibit low thermal and moderate electrical conductivity, accompanied by a relatively high absolute magnitude of thermopower, which makes them suitable candidates for use as thermoelectric devices. Theoretical explanations of electrical and thermal conductivity and thermopower of two representative members of the Al-Cu-Fe icosahedral quasicrystal family (i-Al62Cu25.5Fe12.5 and i-Al63Cu25Fe12) are given. Their figures of merit are relatively low compared with the best-known thermoelectric materials.
Type
research article
Web of Science ID
WOS:000168796500045
Authors
Publication date
2001
Published in
Volume
61
Issue
2-4
Start page
345
End page
348
Peer reviewed
REVIEWED
EPFL units
Available on Infoscience
February 23, 2007
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