Thermoelectric Properties and Hall Effect of Bi₂Te_3-xSe_x Polycrystalline Materials Prepared by a Hot Press Method

Abstract

Bi 2 Te 3- x Se x (0≦ x <1) polycrystalline solids are prepared by a hot press method and their thermoelectric properties are studied. The samples show the maximum value of Z = 2.3×10 -3 K -1 at x =0.22. The lattice thermal conductivity is smaller than that of a single crystal. The lattice constant and power factor decrease upon increasing the selenium substitution while thermal conductivity decreases for x values up to 0.33 and becomes constant for x values greater than 0.33.