Thermodynamics of the thermoelectric potential
Résumé
We derive the principal contributions to energy flux and entropy flux in a thermoelectric material using a force-flux description. Using the reduced current u = −J/κ∇T of the coupled thermal and electrical flows, we introduce the so-called thermoelectric potential Tα+1/u. We show that this approach gives a simple description of the thermodynamics of the thermoelectric process, including the heat and entropy production terms. The thermoelectric potential gives a precise estimate of the thermodynamical best working conditions leading to a direct measurement of the irreversible contribution for practical applications where the optimal thermoelectric potential value cannot be maintained.