Versatile apparatus for thermoelectric characterization of oxides at high temperatures

Matthias Schrade; Harald Fjeld; Truls Norby; Terje G Finstad

doi:10.1063/1.4897489

Versatile apparatus for thermoelectric characterization of oxides at high temperatures

Rev Sci Instrum. 2014 Oct;85(10):103906. doi: 10.1063/1.4897489.

Authors

Matthias Schrade¹, Harald Fjeld¹, Truls Norby¹, Terje G Finstad¹

Affiliation

¹ Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology, University of Oslo, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway.

PMID: 25362415
DOI: 10.1063/1.4897489

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity is presented and characterized. The device can be used in a wide temperature range from room temperature to 1050 °C and in all common atmospheres, including oxidizing, reducing, humid, and inert. The apparatus is suitable for samples with different geometries (disk-, bar-shaped), allowing a complete thermoelectric characterization (including thermal conductivity) on a single sample. The Seebeck coefficient α can be measured in both sample directions (in-plane and cross-plane) simultaneously. Electrical conductivity is measured via the van der Pauw method. Perovskite-type CaMnO3 and the misfit cobalt oxide (Ca2CoO3)q(CoO2) are studied to demonstrate the temperature range and to investigate the variation of the electrical properties as a function of the measurement atmosphere.