Stabilizing the optimal carrier concentration for high thermoelectric efficiency

Yanzhong Pei; Aaron D LaLonde; Nicholas A Heinz; Xiaoya Shi; Shiho Iwanaga; Heng Wang; Lidong Chen; G Jeffrey Snyder

doi:10.1002/adma.201103153

Stabilizing the optimal carrier concentration for high thermoelectric efficiency

Adv Mater. 2011 Dec 15;23(47):5674-8. doi: 10.1002/adma.201103153. Epub 2011 Nov 4.

Authors

Yanzhong Pei¹, Aaron D LaLonde, Nicholas A Heinz, Xiaoya Shi, Shiho Iwanaga, Heng Wang, Lidong Chen, G Jeffrey Snyder

Affiliation

¹ Department of Materials Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.

PMID: 22052689
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201103153

Abstract

The band structure of PbTe can be manipulated by alloying with MgTe to control the band degeneracy. This is used to stabilize the optimal carrier concentration, making it less temperature dependent, demonstrating a new strategy to improve overall thermoelectric efficiency over a broad temperature range.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Alloys / chemistry*
Conservation of Natural Resources / methods*
Electric Conductivity
Lead / chemistry*
Magnesium / chemistry
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Nanostructures / chemistry
Nanostructures / ultrastructure
Surface Properties
Tellurium / chemistry*
Temperature
Thermal Conductivity
X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

Alloys
Lead
Magnesium
Tellurium