Compatibility factor of segmented thermoelectric generators based on quasicrystalline alloys

Abstract

In this work we present a prospective study on the possible use of certain quasicrystalline alloys in order to improve the efficiency of segmented thermoelectric generators. To this end, we obtain a closed analytical expression for their compatibility factor [G. J. Snyder and T. S. Ursell, Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 148301 (2003)]. By comparing our analytical results with available experimental data we conclude that a promising high temperature material, compatible with benchmark thermoelectric materials, can be found among AlPdMn based icosahedral quasicrystals.