Impact of Zn-doping on the thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 nanostructures synthesized by hydrothermal method

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 346; p. 134499
• Main Authors: Yun, Ye Hyun, An, Eun Joo, Jeong, Yong Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-09-2023
• Subjects: Hydrothermal synthesis; Nanostructured Bi2Te2.7Se0.3; Seebeck coefficient; Thermoelectric; Zinc doping; Seebeck coefficient; Thermoelectric; Hydrothermal synthesis; Nanostructured Bi2Te2.7Se0.3; Zinc doping
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2023.134499

•Hydrothermal synthesis of Zn-doped BTS compounds was performed for thermoelectric applications.•Semiconductor properties were affected by Zn doping ratio in the BTS system.•Zn0.3BTS sample was the optimal condition for enhancing the thermoelectric performance.
Studies on Zn doping of thermoelectric materials are actively conducted; however, doping of Zn in solution synthesis remains a challenge. In this study, a hydrothermal approach was utilized to synthesize Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 (BTS) and dope with Zn. Zn was successfully incorporated into the BTS structure, and the hot-pressed Zn-doped BTS powder exhibited a layered structure with micrometer-scale crystals. BTS exhibited inherent semiconductor properties, while the Zn-doped sample exhibited degenerate semiconductor characteristics, which affected the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. Based on the σ and S values, doping with 0.3 mol Zn was determined to be the optimal condition for enhancing the thermoelectric power factor. This study offers important contributions to the development of solution-based doping of BTS thermoelectric materials for energy harvesting and cooling applications.