Thermoelectric properties of p-type (Bi_2Te_3)_x(Sb_2Te_3)_(1-x) prepared by spark plasma sintering

摘要

High performance (Bi_2Te_3)_x(Sb_2Te_3)_(1-x) bulk materials have been prepared by combining fusion technique with spark plasma sintering, and their thermoelectric properties have been investigated. With the increase of Bi_2Te_3 content, the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient increase greatly and the thermal conductivity decreases significantly, which lead to a great improvement in the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT. The maximum ZT value reaches 1.33 at 398 K for the composition of 20% Bi_2Te_3-80% Sb_2Te_3 with 3 wt% excess Te.