(Bi,Sb)2Te3/SiC nanocomposites with enhanced thermoelectric performance: Effect of SiC nanoparticle size and compositional modulation

Fabrication of nanoparticle-dispersed composites is an effective strategy for enhancing the performance thermoelectric materials, and in particular SiC nanoparticles have been often used to create with Bi2Te3-based applied materials. However, effect particle size on unclear. This work systematically investigated electrical thermal properties a series (Bi,Sb)2Te3-based nanocomposites containing dispersed different sizes. It was found that has significant impact smaller giving rise higher conductivity. Even though enhanced Seebeck coefficient, no apparent dependence enhancement observed. also scatter phonons some extent while larger contribute increased Eventually, highest ZT value 1.12 obtained 30 nm-SiC sample, corresponding increase by 18% from 0.95 matrix made commercial scraps, then further boosted 1.33 optimizing composition expelling excess Te during optimized spark plasma sintering process. proves dispersion p-type (Bi,Sb)2Te3 materials more than nanoparticles. In addition, it revealed additional compositional and/or processing optimization vital obtaining (Bi,Sb)2Te3.