Fabrication and Characterization of a Nanowire/Polymer-Based Nanocomposite for a Prototype Thermoelectric Device

Abramson, A.R. and Kim, W.C. and Huxtable, S.T. and Yan, H. and Wu, Y. and Majumdar, A. and Tien, C.-L. and Yang, P.. (2004) Fabrication and Characterization of a Nanowire/Polymer-Based Nanocomposite for a Prototype Thermoelectric Device. Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, 13 (3). pp. 505-513. ISSN 1057-7157

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Abstract

This paper discusses the design, fabrication and testing of a novel thermoelectric device comprised of arrays of silicon nanowires embedded in a polymer matrix. By exploiting the low-thermal conductivity of the composite and presumably high-power factor of the nanowires, a thermoelectric figure of merit, higher than the corresponding bulk value, should result. Arrays were first synthesized using a vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process leading to one-dimensional (1-D) growth of single-crystalline nanowires. To provide structural support while maintaining thermal isolation between nanowires, parylene, a low thermal conductivity and extremely conformal polymer, was embedded within the arrays. Mechanical polishing and oxygen plasma etching techniques were used to expose the nanowire tips and a metal contact was deposited on the top surface. Scanning electron micrographs (SEMs) illustrate the results of the fabrication processes. Using a modification of the 3ω technique, the effective thermal conductivity of the nanowire matrix was measured and 1 V characteristics were also demonstrated. An assessment of the suitability of this nanocomposite for high thermoelectric performance devices is given.

Item Type: Article
InterNano Taxonomy: Nanomanufacturing Characterization Techniques > Thermal Analysis
Nanoscale Objects and Nanostructured Materials > Nanowires
Nanoscale Objects and Nanostructured Materials > Nanocomposites > Polymeric
Collections: Nanomanufacturing Research Collection
Depositing User: Moureen Kemei
Date Deposited: 10 Mar 2010 18:59
Last Modified: 10 Mar 2010 18:59
URI: http://eprints.internano.org/id/eprint/332

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