Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis of Ca1.24Co1.62O3.86 thermoelectric powders

Abstract Thermoelectric oxide, Ca 1.24 Co 1.62 O 3.86 , was prepared by Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) followed by a short heat treatment. Prepared powders were characterized by XRD for phase purity. Thermal analyses (TG/DSC) were used to establish the reaction mechanism of the process and study the product thermal stability under different gas atmospheres. Temperature history of the SHS process was measured and the activation energy of the reaction was calculated from the temperature history. Electrical conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and Seebeck coefficient of the prepared power were measured.