A series of Bi(2-x)Sb(x)Te3 powders were prepared via hydrothermal methods by varying x (x=1.45, 1.50, 1.55, 1.56). These powders were then heavily characterized by XRD, EDS, ICP-AES, TEM, SEM and the TPS technique. A low thermal conductivity was desired, so as to give the highest thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT). It was determined that the highest figure of merit was obtained when x=1.55, which resulted in a value of 1.65 ...
The 'graphene-like' mechanical exfoliation of Bi2Te3 films is shown to have a significant effect on the thermoelectric properties of these films. The modification of thermal conductivity due to exfoliation leads to enhanced thermoelectric properties, known as figures of merit (ZT).Two different experimental techniques were used in order to determine the thermal conductivity of the exfoliated films: transient plane source (TPS) and laser flash technique (LFT). Annealing was performed ...