ZT enhancement in solution-grown Sb(2-x)BixTe3 nanoplatelets.

Scheele, Marcus; Oeschler, Niels; Veremchuk, Igor; Reinsberg, Klaus-Georg; Kreuziger, Anna-Marlena; Kornowski, Andreas; Broekaert, José; Klinke, Christian et al. · ACS Nano · 2010

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We report a solution-processed, ligand-supported synthesis of 15-20 nm thick Sb(2-x)BixTe3 nanoplatelets. After complete ligand removal by a facile NH3-based etching procedure, the platelets are spark plasma sintered to a p-type nanostructured bulk material with preserved crystal grain sizes. Due to this nanostructure, the total thermal conductivity is reduced by 60% in combination with a reduction in electric conductivity of as low as 20% as compared to the bulk material demonstrating the feasibility of the phonon-glass electron-crystal concept. An enhancement in the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit of up to 15% over state-of-the-art bulk materials is achieved, meanwhile, shifting the maximum to significantly higher temperatures.