Improvement of thermoelectric properties of screen-printed Bi2Te3 thick film by optimization of the annealing process

The thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 thick film prepared by a screen-printing technique are investigated to produce a low-cost thermoelectric power generator module. It is shown that thermoelectric properties of the screen-printed Bi2Te3 thick film can be greatly improved by optimizing annealing conditions. The printed Bi2Te3 thick film annealed at 500 °C for 15 min in Bi and Te powders ambient, achieves a power factor of 2.1 mW/m K2 and a thermal conductivity of 1.0 W/m K. The ZT value is 0.61 at room temperature.

► We present a report on the thermoelectric properties of screen printed Bi2Te3 film.
► Various annealing conditions are investigated to get optimum annealing condition.
► The properties of the film are greatly improved by optimizing conditions.