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Exploration and Optimization of Tellurium‐Based Thermoelectrics

Exploration and Optimization of Tellurium‐Based Thermoelectrics

Exploration and Optimization of Tellurium‐Based Thermoelectrics

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Figure 12.4 Projected thermal conductivity (left) <strong>and</strong> dimensionless figure <strong>of</strong> merit (right) for Tl 10‐x‐ySn xBi yTe 6.<br />

The projected values <strong>of</strong> depicted as vertical ranged bars above, are in good measure with the other<br />

materials – Tl8Sn2Te6, for example was measured at ~0.6 W∙m ‐1 K ‐1 at 372K <strong>and</strong> Tl9SnTe6 measured ~1.5<br />

W∙m ‐1 K ‐1 at 372 K. With the close values <strong>of</strong> the available lattice thermal conductivities, the difference<br />

between estimated values is only 0.02 W∙m ‐1 K ‐1 . The calculation <strong>of</strong> ZT leads to a potential cold‐<br />

pressed sintered value <strong>of</strong> 0.6 for Tl9Sn0.2Bi0.8Te6 <strong>and</strong> Tl8.67Sn0.50Bi0.83Te6 towards 580 K. This is on the<br />

same order <strong>of</strong> magnitude as Tl7.8Sn2.2Te6 measured in 11.3.3 to reach a maximum value <strong>of</strong> 0.6 at 617 K.<br />

12.4. Conclusion<br />

Various members <strong>of</strong> the Tl10‐x‐ySnxBiyTe6 series were successfully synthesized, analyzed, <strong>and</strong> their<br />

physical properties measured. Rietveld refinements were performed on three pure‐phase samples<br />

displaying acceptable unit cell parameters, bond distances, <strong>and</strong> R‐values that fall in line with the single<br />

crystal data collected for Tl8.66Sn0.67Bi0.67Te6. The near‐metallic behaviour <strong>of</strong> several samples was<br />

supported with LMTO calculations which also showed strong potential metallic properties for the<br />

hypothetical Tl8.5Sn0.5Bi1Te6 – which, rationally speaking was also beyond the natural phase range.<br />

Though measurements are not yet available to the system, reasonable predictions based on literature<br />

values <strong>of</strong> lattice thermal conductivity reveal a strong potential for this series to reach the same<br />

magnitude as Tl7.8Sn2.2Te6, if not surpass it. Naturally, hot‐pressing <strong>of</strong> select Bi‐rich samples ought to<br />

further improve these properties making this series potentially competitive with Tl9BiTe6 <strong>and</strong> other<br />

leading materials.<br />

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