Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Enhancing Conversion Efficiency of 3D-Printed Copper (I) Sulfide Thermoelectrics via Sulfur Infusion Process

Raden Gustinvil
ORCID logo ,
William Jordan Wright
,
Giuseppe L. Di Benedetto
,
Donald Skelton
,
Samuel Stuart
,
John W. Drazin
,
Emrah Celik
*
Version 1 : Received: 9 August 2023 / Approved: 9 August 2023 / Online: 10 August 2023 (07:29:20 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Gustinvil, R.; Wright, W.J.; Di Benedetto, G.L.; Skelton, D.; Stuart, S.; Drazin, J.W.; Celik, E. Enhancing Conversion Efficiency of Direct Ink Write Printed Copper (I) Sulfide Thermoelectrics via Sulfur Infusion Process. Machines 2023, 11, 881. Gustinvil, R.; Wright, W.J.; Di Benedetto, G.L.; Skelton, D.; Stuart, S.; Drazin, J.W.; Celik, E. Enhancing Conversion Efficiency of Direct Ink Write Printed Copper (I) Sulfide Thermoelectrics via Sulfur Infusion Process. Machines 2023, 11, 881.

Abstract

Copper(I) sulfide (Cu2S) is a low-cost, earth-abundant, and non-toxic thermoelectric material for applications in the middle-high temperature range (>650 K). Although 3D printing these materials can simplify their manufacturing, elevated temperatures observed during sintering impair their crystal structure and energy conversion efficiency. In this study, we demonstrated a novel post-processing methodology to revert the thermoelectric properties of the 3D printed Cu2-xS materials back to the unimpaired state via sulfur infusion. After printing and sintering, sulfur was infused into the specimens under vacuum to optimize their crystal structure and achieve high thermoelectric efficiency. Chemical analysis and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) tests showed that after the sulfur infusion process, the Cu/S ratio was reverted close to the stoichiometric level. 3D printed Cu2-xS showed p-type thermoelectric behavior with electrical conductivity peaking at 143 S-cm-1 at 750 K and Seebeck coefficient of 175 µV-K-1 at 627 K. Figure of merit (ZT) value of 1.0 at 780 K was achieved which is the highest value ever reported for a 3D printed Cu2-xS thermoelectrics at this temperature. Fabrication of environmentally friendly thermoelectric materials with extended dimensional freedom and conversion efficiency has the potential to impact the thermoelectric industry with new energy conversion applications and lowered manufacturing costs.

Keywords

thermoelectricity; copper (I) sulfide; 3D printing; sulfur infusion; direct ink writing

Subject

Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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