Study of thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline SnSe by Ag and Pb co-doping

Ag and Pb co-doped polycrystalline SnSe materials were prepared by melting, high-energy ball milling and hot pressing sintering successively, and then their thermoelectric properties were investigated systematically. The results show that the addition of Pb can effectively improve the conductivity. The room temperature carrier concentration of the Sn0.94Ag0.01Pb0.05Se sample reaches 2.9 x 10(18) cm(-3). Ag2Se phase was formed in the material. With the increase of Ag and Pb content, the SnSe polycrystalline grains grew significantly, resulting in the increase of thermal conductivity. The ZT value of the Sn0.98Ag0.01Pb0.01Se sample at 873 K is 1.4, which is lower than that of pure SnSe polycrystalline.

Automated summary

Ag and Pb co-doped polycrystalline SnSe materials were prepared and their thermoelectric properties were systematically investigated. The addition of Pb effectively improved the conductivity, with a room temperature carrier concentration of 2.9 x 10(18) cm(-3) in the Sn0.94Ag0.01Pb0.05Se sample. Ag2Se phase was formed in the material. The growth of SnSe polycrystalline grains with increased content of Ag and Pb resulted in an increase in thermal conductivity. The ZT value of the Sn0.98Ag0.01Pb0.01Se sample at 873 K was 1.4, lower than that of pure SnSe polycrystalline.