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21-01-2022 | Letter

Improved thermoelectric properties of zone-melted p-type bismuth-telluride-based alloys for power generation

Authors: Ren-Shuang Zhai, Tie-Jun Zhu

Published in: Rare Metals | Issue 5/2022

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Zone-melted bismuth-telluride-based alloys (ZM-BT) are extensively applied to manufacture commercial thermoelectric power generators (TEG). Optimizing the average figure of merit (zT) during 300–500 K of ZM-BT is favorable for improving the conversion efficiency of common TEGs, and manipulating point defects is the primary approach to reduce their relatively high lattice thermal conductivity (κ_l) and enhance thermoelectric properties further. Se/Te alloying has been confirmed effective for traditional n-type Bi₂Te₃ compound, while Se alloying in p-type counterparts is rarely reported. Herein, to further reduce κ_l, we introduce Se alloying into p-type Bi_0.3Sb_1.7Te₃ to enhance the scattering of high-frequency phonons. Combined with the carrier concentration adjustment via excess Te doping, a high average zT ~ 0.75 between 300 and 500 K was obtained, 22% higher than that of the pristine ingot.

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Title: Improved thermoelectric properties of zone-melted p-type bismuth-telluride-based alloys for power generation
Authors: Ren-Shuang Zhai
Tie-Jun Zhu
Publication date: 21-01-2022
Publisher: Nonferrous Metals Society of China
Published in: Rare Metals / Issue 5/2022
Print ISSN: 1001-0521
Electronic ISSN: 1867-7185
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-021-01901-2

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