Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: We investigated the thermoelectric properties of PbTe/Ag2Te bulk composites, synthesized by hand milling, mixing, and hot press sintering. From x-ray diffraction and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy measurements, we observed Ag2Te phase separation in the PbTe matrix without Ag atom diffusion. In comparison with previously reported pseudo-binary (PbTe)1−x(Ag2Te)x composites, synthesized by high temperature phase separation, the PbTe/Ag2Te bulk composites fabricated with a low temperature phase mixing process give rise to p-type conduction of carriers with significantly decreased electrical conductivity. This indicates that Ag atom diffusion in the PbTe matrix changes the sign of the Seebeck coefficient to n-type and also increases the carrier concentration. Effective p-type doping with low temperature phase separation by mixing and hot press sintering can enhance the thermoelectric performance of PbTe/Ag2Te bulk composites, which can be used as a p-type counterpart of n-type (PbTe)1−x(Ag2Te)x bulk composites.
Source: AIP Advances
DOI: 10.1063/1.4938565
Authors: Min Ho Lee, Jong-Soo Rhyee
Institution: Kyung Hee University
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,350
Funder: Samsung
OpenAlex ID: W2212751486