Influence of Se Substitution in GeTe on Phase and Thermoelectric Properties

Lead-free GeTe compound shows good electrical properties but also high thermal conductivity. GeTe1-x Se (x) alloys with x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 have been prepared by conventional melting, quenching, and spark plasma sintering (SPS) techniques to study their phases and thermoelectric properties. Se was chosen as dopant element in GeTe to reduce the thermal conductivity. Experimental results showed that all alloys formed rhombohedral GeTe-based solid solution and minor cubic Ge phase without any phase arising from Se. The alloys retained the p-type conduction of GeTe. Substitution of Se for Te in GeTe increased its electrical resistivity, but increased its Seebeck coefficient and reduced its thermal conductivity significantly. Reduction of the carrier mobility was responsible for the increase of the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient. Enhancement of the phonon scattering on Se solute atoms and minor phase Ge was responsible for the reduction of the thermal conductivity. As a result, the figure of merit ZT of GeTe1-x Se (x) alloys can be enhanced with proper Se substitution. A maximum ZT value of 1.17 at 773 K was eventually achieved in the GeTe0.7Se0.3 sample, being 26% higher than that of pure GeTe.