Materiais híbridos cerâmico-metalicos funcionalizados para conversão de energia termo-magnética

M. A. Correa graduated in physics at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil. He obtained his Ph.D. degree at the same institution. Actually is Full professor of Physics Department of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. His work is focused on the area of Functionalized ceramic materials, Magnetization Dynamics, Spintronics and nanomaterials for sensors and actuators. 

Dr. Marcio Assolin Correa 
Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte / RN

Abstract

The search for hybrid materials to support the energy transition is an area that has garnered significant attention from the scientific community worldwide. In this context, ceramic materials play a fundamental role due to their versatility in various technological applications. In this work, we explore the structural, electrical, and thermal properties of different ceramic materials to develop hybrid ceramic/ferromagnetic metal systems for thermomagnetic energy conversion applications. To achieve this, we integrate Tape Casting (TC) and Magnetron Sputtering techniques to produce bilayers capable of efficiently responding to thermomagnetic phenomena, specifically the Anomalous Nernst Effect (ANE). The ANE is a phenomenon that converts thermal energy into electrical energy by manipulating the magnetic properties of alloys with high magnetic permeability and saturation magnetization. This effect can generate electrical voltages on the order of microvolts (μV) even under small temperature gradients (∇T). Recent results published by our group demonstrate a strong dependence on the thermomagnetic response in ferromagnetic systems based on BaTiO? ceramic tapes doped with ZrO?, as well as Al?O? doped with graphene. In these studies, thin films of Ni??Fe?? and Co?FeAl with thicknesses of 80 nm and 30 nm, respectively, were deposited, and their structural, magnetic, and thermomagnetic properties were analyzed. The results indicate a considerable increase in the effective thermoelectric coefficient as the amount of BaTiO? and graphene in the ceramic substrate increases. This feature can be connected to the substantial modification of the thermal conductivity of the ceramic materials as the doping is realized. These findings suggest a novel approach for integrating these techniques to develop multifunctional materials for thermoelectric energy conversion.