Thermoelectric Properties of Layered Compounds and Multicomponent Solid Solutions in the Pseudoternary System Sb2Te3–PbTe–Bi2Te3

Abstract

The thermoelectric properties of layered compounds and solid solutions in the Sb₂Te₃–PbTe–Bi₂Te₃ system have been studied in a wide temperature range. The quaternary compounds and multicomponent solid solutions in this system have been shown to have a very low lattice thermal conductivity. The electrical conductivity of all the materials decreases with increasing temperature. All of the materials have been shown to be n-type. The layered compounds and multicomponent solid solutions have high thermoelectric efficiency, which makes them promising n-type thermoelectric materials.