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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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From the underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> this compound gained in the literature as well as the known benefits<br />

<strong>of</strong> heavy‐element layered structures, one is left with numerous queries including structure <strong>and</strong><br />

improvement <strong>of</strong> its properties. In 2010, similar studies were also investigated in the Kleinke group [189]<br />

on the sister compound PbBi2Te4 with information regarding the phase range, XRD studies, <strong>and</strong><br />

thermoelectric properties. Such studies as underst<strong>and</strong>ing the compound’s phase range <strong>and</strong> attempts at<br />

doping to optimize charge carrier concentrations will greatly aid in a thorough underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong><br />

SnBi2Te4. Through the gathering <strong>of</strong> crystallographic <strong>and</strong> DFT information on this system, one aims to<br />

underst<strong>and</strong> the effects <strong>of</strong> tuning via additional elements on the cation sites. Doping <strong>and</strong> substitution<br />

experiments will ideally reflect some <strong>of</strong> these behaviours through cumulative physical property studies.<br />

8.1. Synthesis <strong>and</strong> Structural Analysis<br />

Compounds were synthesized according to 7.2 <strong>and</strong> were weighed to a minimum <strong>of</strong> ±0.0005 g.<br />

While it was necessary to optimize the heating conditions for this system to avoid primarily Bi2Te3 or<br />

SnBi4Te7, reactions were heated slowly to 923 K where they were left for 12 or 24 hours. The samples<br />

were then quickly cooled to 843 K <strong>and</strong> left for 1 to 2 weeks before cooling to room temperature. Thus, a<br />

typical heating scheme for this system can be depicted as:<br />

Mixed phases were returned to 843 K in sealed tubes for approximately 2 weeks. Powdered samples <strong>of</strong><br />

pure phase were typically cold‐pressed into 10×2×2 mm 3 bars, annealed for 12 hours in sealed tubes at<br />

723 K <strong>and</strong> measured by the ZEM instrument.<br />

Attempts throughout this work to obtain a single crystal <strong>of</strong> SnBi2Te4 were generally in vain<br />

despite numerous strategic attempts including cooling rates <strong>of</strong> 1 °/hr near its melting point, various salt<br />

fluxes, or transport reactions involving TeCl4/I2; the fine plate‐like crystals turned out to be powder<br />

when cut <strong>and</strong> twinning made any obtainable data near‐impossible to properly analyze. One exception<br />

81

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