The presented paper investigates the relationship between the microstructure
and thermal properties of copper-silicon carbide composites obtained through
hot pressing (HP) and spark plasma sintering (SPS) techniques. The
microstructural analysis showed a better densification in the case of
composites sintered in the SPS process. TEM investigations revealed the
presence of silicon in the area of metallic matrix in the region close to
metal-ceramic boundary. It is the product of silicon dissolving process in
copper occurring at an elevated temperature. The Cu-SiC interface is
significantly defected in composites obtained through the hot pressing
method, which has a major influence on the thermal conductivity of
materials.
Antimony telluride (Sb 2 Te 3 ) is an intermetallic compound crystallizing in a hexagonal lattice with R-3m space group. It creates a c lose packed structure of an ABCABC type. As intrinsic semiconductor characterized by excellent electrical properties, Sb 2 Te 3 is widely used as a low-temperature thermoelectric material. At the same time, due to unusual properties (strictly connected with the structure), antimony telluride exhibits nonlinear optical properties, including saturable absorption. Nanostructurization, elemental doping and possibilities of synthesis Sb 2 Te 3 in various forms (polycrystalline, single crystal or thin film) are the most promising methods for improving thermoelectric properties of Sb 2 Te 3 .Applications of Sb 2 Te 3 in optical devices (e.g. nonlinear modulator, in particular saturable absorbers for ultrafast lasers) are also interesting. The antimony telluride in form of bulk polycrystals and layers for thermoelectric and optoelectronic applications respectively were used. For optical applications thin layers of the material were formed and studied. Synthesis and structural characterization of Sb 2 Te 3 were also presented here. The anisotropy (packed structure) and its influence on thermoelectric properties have been performed. Furthermore, preparation and characterization of Sb 2 Te 3 thin films for optical uses have been also made.
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