Thermoelectric effect and a thermoelectric generator based on carbon nanostructures: achievements and prospects

Graphite-like (metal!) regions and diamond-like (dielectric!) regions in carbon nanostructures are very closely spaced. Based on this unique feature, a model of thermal emfproduced due to the drag of electrons by ballistic phonons is developed and a model of thermal conduction during heat transfer through the graphite-like/diamond-like region interface is proposed. Experiments with a thermoelectric generator based on film carbon nanostructures are analyzed. Models of a thermoelectric generator based on a composite of a graphite-like matrix containing diamond nanoparticles and graphene impurities are proposed. These models both demonstrate the above-mentioned phenomena and predict the achievement of the maximum thermoelectric conversion efficiency.