Wetting angles of molten polymers on thermoelectric solid metal surfaces

Thermoelectric (TE) materials can provide solid state heating, cooling, and power generation—with the potential to reduce greenhouse gases and to provide cleaner energy. Practical accomplishment of these objectives require stability of TE materials at high operating temperatures and in reactive environments. We propose to provide that stability by encapsulation of TE materials and devices in high temperature polymers (HTPs). Elimination of air pockets inside TE devices require strong wetting of TE materials by HTPs. We report wetting angles of three HTPs on four TE materials.