Reducing the Interfacial Diffusion Driving Force to Achieve Diffusion-Resistant Bonding in Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5-Based Thermoelectric Devices

Abstract

The n-type Mg₃(Sb,Bi)₂-based thermoelectric materials are promising candidates for medium-temperature power generation due to their low cost, nontoxicity, and high performance. However, their large-scale application in thermoelectric devices is significantly hindered by poor long-term stability, resulting from electrode interface degradation. Effective contact interfaces in thermoelectric devices require high bonding strength, low interfacial resistivity, and exceptional stability. Therefore, the development of efficient and reliable thermoelectric interface materials is crucial for the practical application of these devices. Conventional approaches to forming interfacial barrier layers mainly rely on thermodynamic equilibrium, which often overlook the critical roles of interfacial reactions and diffusion kinetics. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to uncover the underlying mechanisms responsible for the high stability of the Mg₂Ni barrier layer and its interface with thermoelectric materials. The Mg₂Ni/Mg_3.21Sb_1.5Bi_0.5Y_0.04 thermoelectric device exhibited excellent performance, with a low contact resistance of 11 μΩ·cm², a high output power density of 1.2 W·cm^–2, and an energy conversion efficiency of 5% at a temperature difference of ΔT = 373 K. This strategy is applicable to other thermoelectric materials, offering valuable insights for designing barrier layers in diverse thermoelectric systems.