articleJournal of the American Chemical SocietyMay 2, 2014Closed access

High Thermoelectric Performance of p-Type SnTe via a Synergistic Band Engineering and Nanostructuring Approach

GTGangjian TanLZLi‐Dong ZhaoFSFengyuan ShiJWJeff W. DoakSLShih‐Han Lo

Northwestern University · University of Michigan–Ann Arbor · +1 more institution

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Abstract

SnTe is a potentially attractive thermoelectric because it is the lead-free rock-salt analogue of PbTe. However, SnTe is a poor thermoelectric material because of its high hole concentration arising from inherent Sn vacancies in the lattice and its very high electrical and thermal conductivity. In this study, we demonstrate that SnTe-based materials can be controlled to become excellent thermoelectrics for power generation via the successful application of several key concepts that obviate the well-known disadvantages of SnTe. First, we show that Sn self-compensation can effectively reduce the Sn vacancies and decrease the hole carrier density. For example, a 3 mol % self-compensation of Sn results in a 50%…

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683
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Topics & keywords

Topics
Keywords
  • Thermoelectric effect
  • Thermoelectric materials
  • Seebeck coefficient
  • Band gap
  • Figure of merit
  • Electronic band structure
  • Chemistry
  • Condensed matter physics
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Affordable and clean energy
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