Enhancement of Seebeck Coefficient in Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 with High-Density Tellurium Nanoinclusions

概要

論文の詳細を見る
Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 films with homogeneously dispersed ${\sim}15$ nm Te nanoparticles were prepared by the alternate deposition of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 layers and Te nanoparticles. As the amount of Te nanoinclusions increased to 15 vol %, the Seebeck coefficient increased from 169 to 248 μV/K. The authors concluded that the high-density Te nanoinclusions result in a carrier energy filtering effect in Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3. Consequently, the thermoelectric power factor was enhanced by 30% despite a reduction in electrical conductivity. The improvement of the power factor implies the enhancement of the thermoelectric figure of merit $\mathit{ZT}$, providing the possibility of further $\mathit{ZT}$ improvement by embedding Te nanoinclusions in Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 bulk materials.
2011-09-25