Morphology modulation of SiC nano-additives for mechanical robust high thermoelectric performance Mg2Si1 - xSnx/Sic nano-composites

SiC nano-powders and nano-wires with excellent toughness as well as high strength were incorporated in Mg-2.16(Si0.3Sn0.7)(0.98)Sb-0.02. The effect of the morphology and phase fraction of nano-SiC additives on the thermoelectric (TE) as well as mechanical properties of the composite was characterized in detail. It is found that, due to the pinning effect, fiber bridging and fiber pull-out mechanisms, the fracture toughness and the compressive strength of the composite with 0.8 at.% SiC nano-powders or nano-wires are improved by about 50% and 30%, respectively. And the TE properties changed little, with a maximum ZT value of similar to 1.20 at 750 K. (C) 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.