Effect of selenium deficiency on the thermoelectric properties of n-type In4Se3-x compounds

G. H. Zhu, Y. C. Lan, H. Wang, G. Joshi, Q. Hao, G. Chen, Z. F. Ren

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thermoelectric properties of dense bulk polycrystalline In 4Se3-x (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.65, and 0.8) compounds are investigated. A peak dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of about 1 is achieved for x = 0.65 and 0.8. The peak ZT is about 50% higher than the previously reported highest value for polycrystalline In4Se 3-x compounds. Our In4Se3-x samples were prepared by ball milling and hot pressing. We show that it is possible to effectively control the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity by controlling selenium (Se) deficiency x. The ZT enhancement is mainly attributed to the thermal conductivity reduction due to the increased phonon scattering by Se deficiency, defects, and nanoscale inclusions in the ball-milled and hot-pressed dense bulk In4Se3-x samples.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number115201
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume83
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 4 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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