Nanostructured layers of thermoelectric materials

US9882108B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey J. Urban · Emeryville, US
• Jared Lynch · Berkeley, US
• Nelson E. Coates · Oakland, US
• Jason D. Forster · Berkeley, US
• Ayaskanta Sahu · Berkeley, US
• Michael L. Chabinyc · Mountain View, US
• Boris Russ · Berkeley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 1, 2016
• Grant date: Jan 30, 2018
• Expiry date: Sep 1, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01P2006/40
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to thermoelectric materials. In one aspect, a method includes providing a plurality of nanostructures. The plurality of nanostructures comprise a thermoelectric material, with each nanostructure of the plurality of nanostructures having first ligands disposed on a surface of the nanostructure. The plurality of nanostructures is mixed with a solution containing second ligands and a ligand exchange process occurs in which the first ligands disposed on the plurality of nanostructures are replaced with the second ligands. The plurality of nanostructures is deposited on a substrate to form a layer. The layer is thermally annealed.