Carbon fiber polymer-matrix structural composites exhibiting greatly enhanced through-thickness thermoelectric figure of merit

The through-thickness thermoelectric behavior of continuous carbon fiber epoxy-matrix composites is greatly improved by adding tellurium particles (13 vol.%), bismuth telluride particles (2 vol.%) and carbon black (2 vol.%). The thermoelectric power is increased from 8 to 163 mu V/K, the electrical resistivity is decreased from 0.17 to 0.02.Omega.cm, the thermal conductivity is decreased from 1.31 to 0.51 W/m.K, and the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit ZT at 70 degrees C is increased from 9 x 10(-6) to 9 x 10(-2). Tellurium increases the thermoelectric power greatly. Bismuth telluride decreases the electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity. Carbon black decreases the electrical resistivity. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.