Improved Thermoelectric Properties of (GeTe)_(90)(Ag_(y)Sb_(2-y)Te_(3-y))_(10) by Tuning the Ag-to-Sb Ratio

摘要

(GeTe)_(90)(Ag_(y)Sb_(2-y)Te_(3-y))_(10) (y velence 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0) compounds were prepared by combining melting and hot pressing, and the thermoelectric properties were studied over the temperature range of 300 K to 770 K. Powder x-ray diffraction results revealed that all the samples were the rhombohedral phase with space group R3m. The electrical conductivity of samples decreased with temperature, while the Seebeck coefficient increased. The thermal conductivity of all the samples was very low, especially for those with the lower y values. High ZT values above 1.6 were obtained for the samples with y velence 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8.