Characterization of the thermal electron emission properties of boron-doped polycrystalline diamond films for use in energy conversion

Abstract

Thermionic energy conversion is a relatively unexplored technology for the efficient conversion of thermal energy directly to electrical energy. In a thermionic converter, thermally excited electrons are emitted from the surface of a material (defined as thermionic emission) which are then used to drive a load. Emission current density increases exponentially with the temperature of the electron emitter leading to a highly efficient conversion device at elevated temperatures. In this study, the thermionic emission properties of boron-doped polycrystalline diamond are examined for use in thermionic energy conversion.