ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION OF THERMOELECTRIC PERFORMANCE AND STABILITY OF Bi₂Te₃, SnSe, AND DOPED OXIDE ALLOYS UNDER CHHATTISGARH-SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

Abstract

Thermoelectric materials convert a temperature difference directly into electrical power, but a material with a high laboratory figure of merit is not automatically the best material for a real industrial environment. This paper analytically compares Bi₂Te₃-based alloys, SnSe, and representative doped oxide thermoelectrics for deployment under Chhattisgarh-specific thermal and environmental conditions. The study uses a descriptive-analytical physics design based on peer-reviewed transport data, stability studies, India Meteorological Department climatology, and the industrial profile of Chhattisgarh. Performance is compared through the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, power factor, dimensionless figure of merit zT, temperature matching, and a stability-oriented screening framework. Bi₂Te₃-based alloys remain the strongest candidate for near-ambient and low-grade waste-heat recovery, with nanostructured p-type Bi-Sb-Te reporting a peak zT of about 1.4 near 373 K. SnSe provides the highest intrinsic high-temperature performance among the materials examined, including a reported zT of 2.6 near 923 K in single crystals; however, anisotropy, brittleness, and oxidation-sensitive surfaces make packaging and sealing decisive. Doped oxides, represented by Tb-doped Ca₃Co₄O₉ and Nb-doped SrTiO₃/YSZ, generally show lower zT but stronger compatibility with hot oxidizing atmospheres. Chhattisgarh’s monsoon humidity, heavy rainfall, dust-bearing industrial sites, repeated start-stop thermal cycling, and large steel, cement, and power sectors create a deployment environment in which long-term stability can reverse the ranking suggested by peak zT alone. The central finding is therefore temperature- and environment-dependent: Bi₂Te₃-based modules are preferred for protected low-temperature recovery; SnSe is attractive for sealed high-grade systems; and doped oxides are the most robust choice for exposed high-temperature oxidizing service. Segmented or cascaded modules are recommended where the temperature span is wide.