Impurities in thermoelectric materials based on Bi2Te3

Possible mechanisms of dissolving of the most probable background impurities in Bi2Te3 base materials were analyzed. It is shown that majority of impurities must form substitution solutions and manifest acceptor properties. Crystallization under conditions of ampule synthesis assists formation of complexes; their decomposition during extrusion with developed multiple dislocation slippage leads to partial compensation of extrusion inherent donor effect