Thermoelectric energy-conversion characteristics of n-type Bi2(Te,Se)3 nanocomposites processed with carbon nanotube dispersion

In this study, n-type Bi-2(Te0.9Se0.1)3 nanocomposites were processed by hot-pressing with dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) up to 0.15 vol%. With 0.01 and 0.015 vol% MWCNT dispersion, it was possible to decrease the thermal conductivity of the Bi-2(Te0.9Se0.1)(3) nanocomposite without deteriorating the electrical resistivity. A maximum dimensionless figure-of-merit of 0.98 at 150 degrees C was obtained for the nanocomposite with 0.015 vol% MWCNT dispersion, as compared to 0.88 of the hot-pressed specimen without MWCNT dispersion. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.