Thermoelectric properties of p-type 25%Bi2Te3+75%Sb2Te3 alloys manufactured by rapid solidification and hot pressing

p-Type Bi2Te3-Sb2Te3 solid solutions were newly fabricated by rapid solidification and hot pressing, which is considered to be a mass production technique for this alloy. Structural homogeneity of the melt spun ribbon and plastic deformation of the hot consolidated body were systematically investigated and compared with conventionally fabricated alloys. Initial composition and hot pressing temperature dependences of the rapidly solidified and hot pressed samples were quantitatively analyzed by measuring the thermoelectric properties such as Seebeck coefficient, electrical conduction, thermal conductivity and Hall coefficient. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.