Nanostructuring and its influence on the thermoelectric properties of the AgSbTe2-SnTe quaternary system

J. Androulakis, R. Pcionek, E. Quarez, O. Palchik, H. Kong, C. Uher, J. J. Dangelo, T. Hogan, X. Tang, T. Tritt, M. G. Kanatzidis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The structural and thermoelectric properties of the AgSbTe2-SnTe quaternary system were studied. Powder averaged x-ray diffraction of Ag 0.85SnSb1.15Tea indicates a cubic NaCl-type structure in contrast with the single crystal refinements, which point towards tetragonal symmetry. Furthermore, high-resolution electron microscopy imaging revealed the system to be a nano-composite formed by thermodynamically driven compositional fluctuations rather than a solid solution as it was viewed in the past. The lattice thermal conductivity attains very low values, which is in accord with recent theories on thermal transport in heterogeneous systems. The charge transport properties of the system exhibit a rich physical behavior highlighted in the coexistence of an almost metallic carrier concentration (∼5 ×1021 cm-3) with a large thermoelectric power response of ∼160 μVYK at 650 K. This is attributed to a heavy hole effective mass that is almost six times that of the electron rest mass.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Pages187-194
Number of pages8
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
Event2005 Materials Research Society Fall Meeting - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: Nov 28 2005Dec 1 2005

Publication series

NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Volume886
ISSN (Print)0272-9172

Other

Other2005 Materials Research Society Fall Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period11/28/0512/1/05

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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