Bi_2Te_3 AND Bi_2Te_(3-x)S_x FOR THERMOELECTRIC APPLICATIONS

摘要

The increased interest in research and development of thermoelectric materials is partly due to the need for improved efficiency in the global utilization of energy resources. Historically, Bi_2Te_3 occupies an important position in the thermoelectric community. For commercial cooling applications, Bi_2Te_3 is currently the most practical and efficient material. Compounds in the Bi_2Te_(3-x)S_x system have also been studied in effort to further improve thermoelectric performance. This paper summarizes our two recent research efforts on the bismuth telluride systems, including the certification of a standard reference material (SRM®) for low temperature Seebeck coefficient using Te-doped Bi_2Te_3, and the composition/structure/property relationship studies of the effect of S alloying with Te in a Bi_2Te_(3-x)S_x single crystal.