Abstract

The present study focused on the synthesis of Bi-Te-Se-based powder by an oxide-reduction process, and analysis of the thermoelectric properties of the synthesized powder. The phase structure, chemical composition, and morphology of the synthesized powder were analyzed by XRD, EPMA and SEM. The synthesized powder was sintered by spark plasma sintering. The thermoelectric properties of the sintered body were evaluated by measuring its Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity. Bi_2Te_2.7Se_0.3 powder was synthesized from a mixture of Bi_2O_3, TeO_2, and SeO_2 powders by mechanical milling, calcination, and reduction. The sintered body of the synthesized powder exhibited n-type thermoelectric characteristics. The thermoelectric properties of the sintered bodies depend on the reduction temperature. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity of the sintered body were increased with increasing reduction temperature. The sintered body of the Bi_2Te_2.7Se_0.3 powder synthesized at 360°C showed about 0.5 of the figure of merit (ZT) at room temperature.

• Keywords: Thermoelectric;Oxide;Reduction;Bismuth telluride;Powder;