Thermoelectric properties of PbSe₀.₅Te₀.₅: x (PbI₂) with endotaxial nanostructures: a promising n-type thermoelectric material

Nanotechnology. 2013 May 31;24(21):215401. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/24/21/215401. Epub 2013 Apr 26.

Abstract

In the present investigation, we report on the thermoelectric properties of PbSe₀.₅Te₀.₅: x (PbI₂) from room temperature to 625 K. High-resolution transmission electron micrographs of the samples reveal endotaxial nanostructures embedded in a PbSe₀.₅Te₀.₅ matrix. The combined effect of mass fluctuation and nanostructures reduces the thermal conductivity to a great extent compared to PbTe and PbSe, without affecting the carrier mobility. As a result, a thermoelectric figure of merit with a value of 1.5 is achieved at 625 K. This value is significantly higher than that of the available state-of-the-art n-type materials.

MeSH terms

  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Hot Temperature
  • Lead / chemistry*
  • Materials Testing
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Selenium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Semiconductors*

Substances

  • Selenium Compounds
  • lead selenide
  • Lead