Materials Research Bulletin, Vol.99, 10-17, 2018
Structure and thermoelectric properties of bismuth telluride-Carbon composites
Carbon nanotubes and amorphous carbon have been introduced into a bismuth telluride matrix (0.15 and 0.30 wt.% ratio) to investigate the influence of the carbon on the composite's thermoelectric properties. Composites with well-dispersed additives have been obtained by sonication and ball-milling methodology. Carbon nanotubes and an amorphous carbon addition led to a decrease in electric conductivity from 1120 S/cm to 77 S/cm. The absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient was found to be reduced, changing from -113 mu V/K +2 mu V/K, this is attributed to electron trapping by an amorphous carbon. For all investigated composites the phonon contribution of the thermal conductivity increased in comparison with a specimen without carbon additives.