Thermoelectric Generator Based on Kesterite (Cu2ZnSnS4) Synthesized via Sol–Gel Method

The need for sustainable and cost-effective thermoelectric materials has brought attention to earth-abundant and mineral compounds, like Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS). In this work, CZTS nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via the sol–gel method using environmentally friendly solvents based on water and ethanol mixtures. The resulting CZTS NPs were then processed into inks through ball milling to produce a thin-film thermoelectric generator (TEG). Structural and microstructural properties were investigated via X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, confirming the kesterite CZTS phase upon sintering. The chalcogenide exhibited p-type semiconductor behaviour, with a Seebeck coefficient reaching ~69 μV/K at 385 K. Van-der-Pauw measurements of conductivity confirmed a non-degenerate semiconducting behaviour, achieving ~1.77 S/cm at 323 K. A two-leg CZTS thin-film TEG reaching a maximum power output of 32(3) nW at a ΔT ~160 K was used, measured with a home-made setup. The volume-specific power of the generator reached 4 × 10−4 μW cm−3 K−2. These results point to an effective use of sol–gel-based techniques to produce a functional thermoelectric generator, providing a costless and environmentally friendly approach to CZTS NPs.