PbTe nanocomposites synthesized from PbTe nanocrystals

Journal Article · Mon May 28 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2745218· OSTI ID:20971945

Martin, J; Nolas, G S; Zhang, W; Chen, L ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620 (United States)

Dense lead telluride (PbTe) nanocomposites were prepared from PbTe nanocrystals synthesized employing an aqueous solution-phase reaction. This approach reproducibly synthesizes 100-150 nm nanocrystals with a high yield of over 2 g per batch. Densification using spark plasma sintering dimensionally integrated nanoscale grains within a bulk matrix, resulting in a uniform dispersion of nonconglomerated nanocrystals. Transport properties of PbTe nanocomposites were evaluated through temperature dependent resistivity, Hall, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity measurements. These nanocomposites show an enhancement in the thermoelectric properties compared to bulk polycrystalline PbTe with similar carrier concentrations. Our results also indicate a strong sensitivity to stoichiometry, surface oxygen adsorption, and porosity.

• OSTI ID: 20971945
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 22 Vol. 90; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ADSORPTION
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CARRIER DENSITY
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CRYSTAL GROWTH
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
HALL EFFECT
LEAD TELLURIDES
NANOSTRUCTURES
OXYGEN
PLASMA
POLYCRYSTALS
POROSITY
SEEBECK EFFECT
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SINTERING
STOICHIOMETRY
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES