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Title: Thermal conductivity of bulk and nanowire Mg₂SixSn1–x alloys from first principles

Journal Article · · Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

The lattice thermal conductivity (κ) of the thermoelectric materials, Mg₂Si, Mg₂Sn, and their alloys, are calculated for bulk and nanowires, without adjustable parameters. We find good agreement with bulk experimental results. For large nanowire diameters, size effects are stronger for the alloy than for the pure compounds. For example, in 200 nm diameter nanowires κ is lower than its bulk value by 30%, 20%, and 20% for Mg₂Si₀.₆Sn₀.₄, Mg₂Si, and Mg₂Sn, respectively. For nanowires less than 20 nm thick, the relative decrease surpasses 50%, and it becomes larger in the pure compounds than in the alloy. At room temperature, κ of Mg₂SixSn1–x is less sensitive to nanostructuring size effects than SixGe1–x, but more sensitive than PbTexSe1–x. This suggests that further improvement of Mg₂SixSn1–x as a nontoxic thermoelectric may be possible.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1101852
Journal Information:
Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Journal Name: Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics Vol. 86 Journal Issue: 17; ISSN 1098-0121
Publisher:
American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 451 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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  • Duman, S.; Tütüncü, H. M.; Baǧci, S.
  • SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE BALKAN PHYSICAL UNION, AIP Conference Proceedings https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2733129
conference January 2007
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