Abstract

Bi_2Te_3-Sb_2Te_3, Bi_2Te_3-Bi_2Se_3 solid solutions are of great interest as materials for thermoelectric energy conversion. One of the key technologies to ensure the efficiency of thermoelectric device is to obtain chemically homogeneous solid solutions. In this work, the new process with rapid solidification followed by hot pressing was investigated to produce homogeneous thermoelectric materials. Characteristics of the materials were examined with XRD, SEM, EPMA-line scan and bending test. Property variations of the materials were investigated as a function of variables, such as excess Te quantity and hot pressing temperature. Quenched ribbons are very brittle and consisted of homogeneous Bi_2Te_3, Sb_2Te_3 solid solutions. When the process parameters were optimized, the maximum figure of merit was 3.073times10-3K-4. The bending strength of the material, hot pressed at 450°C, was 5.87 kgf/mm2.