A new method of synthesis for thermoelectric materials: HPHT

• Published in: Solid state communications Vol. 123; no. 1; pp. 43 - 47
• Main Authors: Zhu, P.W, Jia, X, Chen, H.Y, Guo, W.L, Chen, L.X, Li, D.M, Ma, H.A, Ren, G.Z, Zou, G.T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Lead and tellurium; Applied sciences; Ceramics and refractories (including borides, carbides, hydrides, nitrides, oxides, and silicides); Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; D. High pressure; D. Thermoelectric properties; Electrochemical, thermoelectromagnetic, and other devices; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Materials synthesis; materials processing; Microelectronic fabrication (materials and surfaces technology); Physics; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; D. Thermoelectric properties; A. Lead and tellurium; 85.80; D. High pressure; 81.05; Bismuth tellurides; Thermoelectric materials; Lead tellurides; Binary compound; Pressure effect; Cooling; Thermoelectric power; Lead compound; High temperature; Inorganic compound; High pressure; Thermoelectric properties
• ISSN: 0038-1098; 1879-2766
• DOI: 10.1016/S0038-1098(02)00182-5

There is a widespread interest in searching for materials that are used to synthesize more efficient thermoelectric devices for cooling and power generation applications. We report on lead telluride (PbTe) compounds which have been synthesized by the high pressure and high temperature method. The thermoelectric properties in PbTe synthesized by high pressure and high temperature were strongly increased. A ZT value of 0.87 for PbTe measured at ambient temperature and pressure has been achieved in our experiment. This value is nearly 20 times larger than the reported values for PbTe synthesized at ambient pressure, and approximately equal to that of Bi 2Te 3. These results indicate that the technique of high pressure and high temperature is a useful tool to obtain materials of improved properties, and highly efficient thermoelectric materials may be expected.