Enhancing the thermoelectric properties of SnTe via introducing PbTe@C core–shell nanostructures

Abstract

SnTe is an emerging IV–VI metal chalcogenides, but its low Seebeck coefficient and high thermal conductivity mainly originating from the high hole concentration limit its thermoelectric performance. In this work,...

Ultralow Lattice Thermal Conductivity and Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Cu and Sb Co-Doped SnTe Thermoelectric Material with a Complex Microstructure Evolution

“…In addition, an all-time high Vickers microhardness value of 165 Hv is reported (Figure (f)). This value is by far higher than previously reported in other high performance SnTe-based works and is graphically presented in Figure S8. ,,− This is thought to be contributed to by reduced Sn vacancies, precipitate hardening, and solid-solution strengthening which not only introduces strain but also alters bonding with Sb co-doping. The observed enhancement of the thermoelectric performance in SnTe through Cu and Sb co-doping continue to portray the potential of SnTe-based materials for application as mitigators for global climatic changes through emission-free recovery of waste heat to useful electrical power.…”

Improving thermoelectric performance by constructing a SnTe/ZnO core–shell structure

“… 31 In our previous work, the PbTe@C core–shell nanostructure was introduced in the SnTe matrix to effectively improve the thermal properties. 32 However, nanopores and amorphous carbon layer can extensively scatter carriers as well, degrading the electronic transport. Thus, this work pretends to replace amorphous carbon layer with ZnO to introduce the energy filtering effect by constructing energy barrier, realizing the improvement of electrical performance.…”