Ca3Co4O9 thermoelectric thin films by pulsed laser deposition

176 p.Ca3Co409-based misfit layered cobalt oxides have attracted huge attention recently due to their good thermoelectric (TE) properties. In this work, high quality Ca3Co4O9 thin films with c-axis orientation were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and superior properties, comparable to that of single crystals, have been achieved. In the attempts to reduce electrical resistivity, ?, and improve power factor, P, both cation substitution and nanocomposite approaches were applied to the c-axis oriented Ca3Co4O9 thin film. The effects of both approaches on the thin film microstructure and TE properties were investigated.Doctor of Philosophy (MSE