Abstract

The present study is to analyze the thermoelectric properties of Bi_0.4Sb_1.6Te_3 thermoelectric materials fabricated by the mechanical grinding process. The Bi_0.4Sb_1.6Te_3 powders were prepared by the combination of mechanical milling and reduction treating methods using simply crushed pre-alloyed Bi_0.4Sb_1.6Te_3 powder. The mechanical milling was carried out using the tumbler-ball mill and planetary ball mill. The tumbler-ball milling had an effect on the carrier mobility rather than the carrier concentration, whereas, the latter on the carrier concentration. The specific electric resistivity and Seebeck coefficient decreased with increasing the reduction-heat-treatment time. The thermal conductivity continuously increased with increasing the reduction-heat-treatment time. The figure of merit of the Bi_0.4Sb_1.6Te_3 sintered body prepared by the mechanical grinding process showed higher value than one of the sintered body of the simply crushed powder.

• Keywords: Thermoelectric;Bismuth telluride Powder;Mechanical grinding;;