Abstract We attempt to develop an optimized metallized layer and evaluate the performance for a SnTe uni-leg thermoelectric module by finite-element simulation. The maximum conversion efficiencies of 3.0% and 0.7% have been achieved under ideal and rough contacted thermoelectric modules at ΔT = 600 K. The Ag metal is found to be the optimized metallized layer. The module with metallized Ag layer shows the lowest contact resistance and the best performance. The efficiency reaches about 60% of ideal contacted module. Following that, the pressure forced on module and the surface roughness between the electrode, metallized layer and thermoelectric material have been simulated. With the increase of surface roughness slope, the contact and inner resistances of the thermoelectric module are decreased, and the voltage, maximum output power and efficiency are increased. When the average surface roughness slope is over 0.8, the efficiency reaches 90% of the ideal contacted module. The contact and inner resistances obviously decrease with increasing pressure, while the voltage, maximum output power and efficiency are enhanced. The greater than 90% efficiency of an ideal contacted module is achieved when the pressure is beyond 100 kPa. These simulated results will be beneficial for the fabrication of SnTe-based thermoelectric modules.

中文翻译：

---

通过金属化层优化 SnTe 单腿热电模块的性能

摘要 我们尝试开发优化的金属化层并通过有限元模拟评估 SnTe 单腿热电模块的性能。在 ΔT = 600 K 时，在理想和粗糙接触的热电模块下实现了 3.0% 和 0.7% 的最大转换效率。发现 Ag 金属是优化的金属化层。带有金属化银层的模块显示出最低的接触电阻和最好的性能。效率达到理想接触模块的60%左右。随后，对模块上的压力以及电极、金属化层和热电材料之间的表面粗糙度进行了模拟。随着表面粗糙度斜率的增加，热电模块的接触电阻和内电阻降低，电压、最大输出功率和效率得到提高。当平均表面粗糙度斜率大于0.8时，效率达到理想接触模块的90%。接触电阻和内阻随着压力的增加而明显减小，而电压、最大输出功率和效率得到提高。当压力超过 100 kPa 时，可实现理想接触模块的 90% 以上的效率。这些模拟结果将有利于 SnTe 基热电模块的制造。当压力超过 100 kPa 时，可实现理想接触模块的 90% 以上的效率。这些模拟结果将有利于 SnTe 基热电模块的制造。当压力超过 100 kPa 时，可实现理想接触模块的 90% 以上的效率。这些模拟结果将有利于 SnTe 基热电模块的制造。