Effect of Processing Route on the Microstructure and Thermoelectric Properties of Bismuth Telluride-Based Alloys

Considerable work has been done to engineer materials with high efficiencies of thermoelectric heat-to-electricity conversion and the mechanical strength necessary to withstand the demands of practical applications. In particular, in the bismuth telluride system, extrusion pressing has been found to be effective for improving the mechanical strength of alloys via grain refinement. We review some of the literature relating to processing approaches for the bismuth telluride system. We also present preliminary data for a series of samples obtained by incorporating C-60 via ball milling and spark plasma sintering into a matrix consisting of a (Bi,Sb)(2)Te-3 alloy, with a focus on the texture of the composites and its relation to thermoelectric transport properties, in comparison to the parent material. The viability of improving the thermoelectric performance of bismuth telluride alloys by the insertion of nanoparticles into a composite is also considered.