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Title: Thermoelectric properties of n-type PbSe revisited

Journal Article · · 2012 American Institute of Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4728229· OSTI ID:1049806

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