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Title: Structures and thermoelectric properties of the infinitely adaptive series (Bi{sub 2}){sub m}(Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3}){sub n}

Journal Article · · Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
;  [1];  [2]; ;  [3]
  1. Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 (United States)
  2. National Centre for High Resolution Electron Microscopy, Department of Nanoscience, Delft Institute of Technology, 2628 CJ, Delft (Netherlands)
  3. Department of Physics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 (United States)

The structures and thermoelectric properties of the (Bi{sub 2}){sub m}(Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3}){sub n} homologous series, derived from stacking hexagonal Bi{sub 2} and Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} blocks, are reported. The end members of this series are metallic Bi and semiconducting Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3}; nine members of the series have been studied. The structures form an infinitely adaptive series and a unified structural description based on a modulated structure approach is presented. The as-synthesized samples have thermopowers (S) that vary from n type for Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} to p type for phases rich in Bi{sub 2} blocks but with some Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} blocks present, to n type again for Bi metal. The thermoelectric power factor (S{sup 2}/{rho}) is highest for Bi metal (43 {mu}W/K{sup 2} cm at 130 K), followed by Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} (20 {mu}W/K{sup 2} cm at 270 K), while Bi{sub 2}Te (m:n=5:2) and Bi{sub 7}Te{sub 3} (m:n=15:6) have 9 {mu}W/K{sup 2} cm (at 240 K) and 11 {mu}W/K{sup 2} cm (at 270 K), respectively. The results of doping studies with Sb and Se into Bi{sub 2}Te are reported.

OSTI ID:
20951429
Journal Information:
Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 75, Issue 19; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.75.195203; (c) 2007 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1098-0121
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English