Synergistic optimization effects of energy band and interface engineering on the thermoelectric properties of Bi0.46Sb1.54Te3

Abstract

The strong coupling between the Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity of thermoelectric materials makes it difficult to achieve high thermoelectric performance through a single regulation strategy. Synergistic optimization of these physical parameters is usually feasible. In this work, both electrical and thermal transport properties of bulk (CuO)0.07Bi0.46Sb1.54Te3 + 2 wt. % Te + 0.5 wt. % SiC prepared by zone melting and hot pressing are optimized simultaneously. Due to its high carrier concentration, large effective mass, and strong phonon scattering, the peak ZTmax value is improved to 1.55 at 432 K. Particularly, its average ZTave value at 307–550 K reaches an exceptional value of 1.37.