Enhanced figure of merit in nanostructured (Bi,Sb)₂Te₃ with optimized composition, prepared by a straightforward arc-melting procedure.

ABSTRACT: Sb-doped Bi₂Te₃ is known since the 1950s as the best thermoelectric material for near-room temperature operation. Improvements in material performance are expected from nanostructuring procedures. We present a straightforward and fast method to synthesize already nanostructured pellets that show an enhanced ZT due to a remarkably low thermal conductivity and unusually high Seebeck coefficient for a nominal composition optimized for arc-melting: Bi_0.35Sb_1.65Te₃. We provide a detailed structural analysis of the Bi_2-xSb_xTe₃ series (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) based on neutron powder diffraction as a function of composition and temperature that reveals the important role played by atomic vibrations. Arc-melting produces lay

SUBMITTER: Serrano-Sanchez F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5524901 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature