Year: 1998
Type: article
Abstract: We have measured the variability of thermoelectric performance for p-type Bi-Sb-Te thermoelements, synthesized via the PIES (Pulverized and Intermixed Elements Sintering) method. We observed variations both between samples and between slices taken from individual samples. Within each sample, resistivity and thermal conductivities were found to vary by 3 to 4% along the sample length, with minimum in the center; while the Seebeck coefficient varied by 1% randomly.Variability in thermoelectric performance was larger between samples, due to variances in carrier concentration (not measured). The observed thermoelectric figure-of-merit had a mean value across ail sarnples of. 00315±.00022±.00019 K-1; where the first error is due to variance between samples, and the second error is the variance within each sample. This yields a TOTAL VARIABILITY of 10%. Thus, the PIES method is an excellent choice for high quality mass production of p-type Bi-Sb-Te.
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2515937210