Thermoelectric Properties of Liquid Semiconductor Solutions of Thallium and Tellurium

Abstract

Experimental techniques have been developed for measuring the Seebeck coefficient S and electrical resistivity ρ of liquid semiconductors at high temperatures. Data have been obtained for S(T) and ρ(T) in a temperature range of 200° to 800°C and a composition range of 31 to 68 at.% of thallium. The liquids are n type for compositions with more than 66% thallium, and p type for lower thallium concentrations. At several compositions where thermal conductivity data are available, evaluation of the thermoelectric figure of merit γ(=ZT) shows ranges of relatively large values of γ(0.1 to 0.85).