Investigation for performance enhancement of Ni/TiO_2-x composite thermoelectric material by Monte-Carlo finite element method

Abstract

In this study, we built three-dimensional models for the series, parallel composite, and random, off-diagonal and gradient distribution composite. We investigated the thermoelectric characteristics of Ni/TiO_2-x composite thermoelectric materials using Monte-Carlo finite elemental method with the three-dimensional models. In addition, Ni/TiO_2-x composite thermoelectric compacts were prepared and the thermoelectric properties were measured. We also discussed the influence of the composite structure type on thermoelectric properties for enhancing thermoelectric performance.