AbstractWe have identified quasicrystals and quasicrystalline approximants as potential candidates for small scale thermoelectric power generation and refrigeration applications. A number of quasicrystalline systems have been investigated, however, the focus in this paper will be on the ALPdMn (typically Al70Pd20Mn10) system. Currently, we are systematically investigating the electrical and thermal transport properties of the AlPdMn quasicrystalline system in relation to differing sample composition, systematic addition of impurities, and different annealing conditions. Several different preparation techniques have been employed in order to determine optimal techniques for maximizing the thermal and electrical properties of this quasicrystalline system for possible thermoelectric applications. Resistivity and thermopower have been performed over a temperature range between 5K and 320K. Thermal conductivity measurements have been performed over a temperature range between 20K and 300K. In the pure, single phase nominally Al70Pd20Mn10 we have observed thermopower values as high as +85 μV/K around room temperature with resistivity values of 1.5 mΩ-cm. Thermal conductivity measurements yield values less than 3 W/m-K. We will discuss how these properties are affected by the parameters we have varied and the trends we have observed so far. We will discuss the future investigations of the electrical and thermal transport properties of quasicrystals in relation to potential thermoelectric applications.
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