Thermoelectric properties of n-type PbSe revisited

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2012 · 2012 American Institute of Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4728229· OSTI ID:1049806

Parker, David S ^[1]; Singh, David J ^[1]; Ren, Zhifeng ^[2]; Zhang, Qinyong ^[3]

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1. ORNL
2. Boston College, Chestnut Hill
3. Xihua University

It was recently predicted \cite{parker} and experimentally confirmed \cite{sny_PbSe} that $$p$$-type PbSe would be a good thermoelectric material. Recent experimental work \cite{pers2} now suggests that $$n$$-type PbSe can also be a good thermoelectric material. We now re-examine the thermoelectric performance of PbSe with a revised approximation which improves band gap accuracy. We now find that $$n$$-type PbSe {\it can} be a high performance material, with thermopowers as high in magnitude as 250 $$\mu$V/K at 1000 K and 300 $$\mu$$V/K at 800 K. Optimal 1000 K $$n$$-type doping ranges are between 2 $$\times 10^{19}$$cm$$^{-3}$$ and 8 $$\times 10^{19}$$cm$$^{-3}$$, while at 800 K the corresponding range is from 7 $$\times$$10$$^{18}$$ to 4 $$\times $$10$$^{19}$$ cm$$^{-3}$$.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: EE USDOE - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE); SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1049806
• Journal Information: 2012 American Institute of Physics, Journal Name: 2012 American Institute of Physics Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 111; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ACCURACY
APPROXIMATIONS
PERFORMANCE
THERMOELECTRIC MATERIALS
THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES
thermoelectric