Preparation and Electrothermal Transport Behavior of Sn₈[(Ga₂Te₃)₃₄(SnTe)₆₆]₉₂ Bulk Glass

Yaqi Zhang ^1,2, Feng Guo ¹, Huan Zhang ^1,3

⁰Postdoctoral Research Base, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang 453003, China.

Materials (basel, Switzerland) +

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October 16, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

High-density tellurium-based bulk glass, a promising thermoelectric material, was synthesized using spark plasma sintering. This glass exhibits significantly reduced thermal conductivity and an enhanced Seebeck coefficient compared to crystalline counterparts.

Area Of Science

Materials Science
Solid State Physics
Inorganic Chemistry

Background

Tellurium-based glasses are attractive for thermoelectric applications due to their unique properties.
Optimizing thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient is crucial for efficient thermoelectric materials.

Purpose Of The Study

To prepare high-density Sn8 bulk glass using spark plasma sintering.
To investigate the thermoelectric properties of the fabricated glass.

Main Methods

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 460 K with a 5 min dwell time and 450 MPa pressure.
Measurement of thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient at room temperature.

Main Results

Successfully synthesized a high-density (>96%) Sn8 bulk glass (density 5.5917 g/cm³).
Reduced room-temperature thermal conductivity from 1.476 W m⁻¹∙K⁻¹ (crystalline) to 0.179 W m⁻¹∙K⁻¹ (glass).
Increased Seebeck coefficient from 35 μV∙K⁻¹ (crystalline) to 286 μV∙K⁻¹ (glass).

Conclusions

Glass transition in tellurium-based semiconductors optimizes thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient.
The fabricated Sn8 bulk glass shows high conductivity (6.2 S∙m⁻¹) and a high glass transition temperature (488 K).
This material is a promising candidate for thermoelectric applications.

Keywords:

electrical conductivity glass transition spark plasma sintering tellurium-based glasses thermal conductivity