1 research outputs found
Enhanced Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of SnTe through Equimolar Multication Alloying for Suitable Device Applications
With the ever-growing demand for eco-friendly energy
sources to
mitigate the global rising temperatures, the universal insatiable
need for sustainable and efficient energy sources are earnestly being
intensively sought after. The ubiquitous heat within, if successfully
tapped, is an utterly promising source of energy. To achieve this,
a thermoelectric device (TED) is needed. To enhance the conversion
efficiency from heat to useful electrical power, we developed a strategy
to improve the thermoelectric performance of the materials involved.
In this work, equimolar multication alloying (EMMCA) is proposed for
the first time and employed to enhance the performance of SnTe-based
thermoelectric materials. Beyond the cation’s solubility limit,
in situ compositing is observed with an increasing doping ratio, whereby
distinct CuInTe2 ternary second phases are dispersed within
the SnTe matrix. The electronic properties of the ensuing alloy are
significantly enhanced by the resulting carrier concentration modulation
and the unique electronic band engineering. A decrease in the thermal
transport properties is likewise reported, benefiting from enhanced
phonon scattering and diminished electronic contribution. The mechanical
properties are also shown to increase with increased alloying. As
a result, single-leg TED performance shows substantial output power
in comparison with the pristine sample. The outcomes stemming from
EMMCA are documented as significantly impactful, contributing to superior
overall thermoelectric performance