Thermoelectric properties of YBa<inf>2</inf>Cu<inf>3</inf>O<inf>7−</inf><inf>x</inf>-Na<inf>y</inf>CoO<inf>2</inf> segmented oxide ceramics

Abstract

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. YBa2Cu3O7−x, NayCoO2 and YBa2Cu3O7−x-NayCoO2 segmented ceramics were successfully prepared by a conventional sintering method. The fabrication at suitable sintering conditions for each ceramic did not affect phase formation and purity. The microstructural observation indicated that the atomic diffusion occurred at interfacial area of the segmented ceramics which induced an increase of charge carriers due to the creation of oxygen vacancies. YBa2Cu3O7−x-NayCoO2 segmented ceramic showed high figure of merit value at a wide temperature range from 500 to 700 K when compared to individual YBa2Cu3O7−x and NayCoO2 ceramics. These results suggested that this segmented ceramic might be a potential material for thermoelectric devices working at intermediate temperature range.