Effects of Synthesis and Spark Plasma Sintering Conditions on the Thermoelectric Properties of Ca3Co4O9+δ

Ca3Co4O9+δ samples were synthesized by solid-state (SS) and sol–gel (SG) reactions, followed by spark plasma sintering under different processing conditions. The synthesis process was optimized and the resulting materials characterized with respect to their microstructure, bulk density, and thermoelectric transport properties. High power factors of about 400 μW/m·K2 and 465 μW/m·K2 (at 800°C) were measured for SS and SG samples, respectively. The improved thermoelectric performance of the SG sample is believed to originate from the smaller particle sizes and better grain alignment. The SG method is suggested to be a beneficial means of obtaining high-performance thermoelectric materials of Ca3Co4O9+δ type.