The p-type Mg2LixSi0.4Sn0.6 thermoelectric materials synthesized by a B2O3 encapsulation method using Li2CO3 as the doping agent

This paper presents a facile synthetic procedure for p-type Mg2Si0.4Sn0.6 thermoelectric material. The B2O3 encapsulation method was used for synthesis, and Li2CO3 was used as the doping agent. These samples showed electrical conductivities and Seebeck coefficients comparable to samples doped with pure Li, but the MgO produced during the carbonate reaction had significant influence on the lattice thermal conductivity of the materials. A peak ZT similar to 0.7 was obtained in the Mg2Li0.025Si0.4Sn0.6 sample.