Structure and thermoelectric properties of Cs-Bi-Te alloys fabricated by different routes of reduction of oxide reagents

Cesium-bismuth-telluride polycrystalline materials were fabricated using a cost-effective method based on a reduction of oxide reagents, leading to a production of a material with good thermoelectric properties. Several samples with various initial stoichiometry were prepared by melting of oxide powders at 1050 C, quenching, milling to powders and then reducing in pure hydrogen at 400 C. Another concept was to obtain the CsBi₄Te₆ material without a melting stage. Composition of the samples was analyzed by the XRD and EDX methods. The sample with 96% of CsBi₄Te₆ phase was obtained in a way of reduction of oxide reagents. Thermoelectric properties of fabricated samples were also investigated. (authors)