Abstract
Despite an effective p-type dopant for PbTe, the low solubility of Na limits the fully optimization of thermoelectric properties of Na-doped PbTe. In this work, Na-doped PbTe was synthesized under high pressure. The formation of the desired rocksalt phase with substantially increased Na content leads to a high carrier concentration of 3.2×1020 cm−3 for Na0.03Pb0.97Te. Moreover, dense in-grain dislocations are identified from the microstructure analysis. Benefited from the improved power factor and greatly suppressed lattice thermal conductivity, the maximal ZT of 1.7 is achieved in the optimal Na0.03Pb0.97Te. Current work thus designates the advantage of high pressure in synthesizing PbTe-based thermoelectric materials.
摘要
尽管钠可以对碲化铅进行有效的p型掺杂, 但其较低的固溶度限制了对掺杂样品热电性能的全面优化. 本工作采用高压合成方法合 成钠掺杂的碲化铅样品. 结构及成分分析表明样品具有典型的岩盐矿结构, 且钠的含量显著提高. 相应的, Na0.03Pb0.97Te样品的载流子浓度 也提高至3.2×1020cm−3. 此外, 显微结构分析确认在高压合成样品的晶粒中形成了高密度的位错. 受益于增强的功率因数和大大抑制晶格 热导率, Na0.03Pb0.97Te样品的热电优值达到1.7. 该工作展示了压力在合成碲化铅基热电材料中的优势.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51525205, 51421091, and 51722209), and the Key Basic Research Project of Hebei (14961013D).
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Author contributions Xu B and Tian Y conceived the project. Cai B synthesized the samples. Cai B, Li J, Sun H, and Zhang L performed the XRD, SEM, EPMA, and thermoelectric properties measurements. Liu Z and He J performed the Hall Measurements. Hu W, Yu D, and Zhao Z performed the TEM measurements. Cai B, Hu W, and Xu B analyzed the data. Cai B, Hu W, Xu B, and Tian Y wrote the paper. All authors contributed to the general discussion.
Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Bowen Cai is a PhD candidate of the College of Materials Science and Engineering, Yanshan University. He joined Prof. Yongjun Tian’s group in 2011 and his current research interests include high pressure technology and thermoelectric materials.
Bo Xu is a professor of the College of Materials Science and Engineering, Yanshan University. He received his PhD from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2002). After postdoctoral work at the University of Maryland, College Park, he joined the State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University in 2006. His research interests include superhard materials and thermoelectric materials.
Yongjun Tian is a professor of the College of Materials Science and Engineering, Yanshan University. He received his PhD from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in 1994, and worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the Universität Jena supported by the Humboldt Research Fellowships from 1996 to 1998. His research interests include design and synthesis of novel metastable materials.
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Cai, B., Li, J., Sun, H. et al. Enhanced thermoelectric performance of Na-doped PbTe synthesized under high pressure. Sci. China Mater. 61, 1218–1224 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-018-9264-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-018-9264-1