Thermoelectric properties of a vertically aligned carbon nanotube array with embedded bismuth telluride

Abstract Recently, thermoelectric (TE) devices have attracted much attention because they no moving parts, simple structures, high reliability, and environmental friendly, when compared to other green energy techniques. In this paper, we report a novel composite constructed one with self-assembled highly oriented Sb doped Bi 2 Te 3 without doping nanoflake layer deposited on regular vertically aligned checkerboard-patterned multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) arrays (500 nm squares 1 µm pitch) insulated SiO /Si substrates. The height of /Bi 0.4 1.6 3, MWCNTs volumetric ratio MWCNT / are about ?m, 1.5 25%, respectively. blending patterns into results in dramatically enhancement Seebeck coefficient electrical conductivity. power factor -MWCNTs show maximum value 600 ?V/K 60 ?W/cm-K at 160 K gradually decrease 409 ?V/K, 14.1 300 K, significant records the low temperature coefficients relative properties extremely important for fundamental understanding embedded composites.