Published September 10, 2012
| Version v1
Journal article
The microstructure network and thermoelectric properties of bulk (Bi,Sb)2Te3
Creators
- 1. State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070 (China)
- 2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634 (United States)
- 3. Laboratory for Neutron Scattering, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI (Switzerland)
- 4. Nano-Science Center, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 København (Denmark)
- 5. Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby (Denmark)
- 6. NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899 (United States)
Description
We report small-angle neutron scattering studies on the microstructure network in bulk (Bi,Sb)2Te3 synthesized by the melt-spinning (MS) and the spark-plasma-sintering (SPS) process. We find that rough interfaces of multiscale microstructures generated by the MS are responsible for the large reduction of both lattice thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity. Our study also finds that subsequent SPS forms a microstructure network of ∼10 nm thick lamellae and smooth interfaces between them. This nanoscale microstructure network with smooth interfaces increases electrical conductivity while keeping a low thermal conductivity, making it an ideal microstructure for high thermoelectric efficiency.
Additional details
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1063/1.4752110;
Publishing Information
- Journal Title
- Applied Physics Letters
- Journal Volume
- 101
- Journal Issue
- 11
- Journal Page Range
- p. 113902-113902.4
- ISSN
- 0003-6951
- CODEN
- APPLAB
INIS
- Country of Publication
- United States
- Country of Input or Organization
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- INIS RN
- 44039235
- Subject category
- S75: CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY;
- Descriptors DEI
- ANTIMONY COMPOUNDS; BISMUTH COMPOUNDS; CRYSTAL STRUCTURE; EFFICIENCY; ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY; INTERFACES; MICROSTRUCTURE; NANOSTRUCTURES; NEUTRON DIFFRACTION; SINTERING; SMALL ANGLE SCATTERING; TELLURIUM COMPOUNDS; THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY; THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES; THERMOELECTRICITY
- Descriptors DEC
- COHERENT SCATTERING; DIFFRACTION; ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES; ELECTRICITY; FABRICATION; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; SCATTERING; THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
Optional Information
- Notes
- (c) 2012 American Institute of Physics