Simultaneous Enhancement of Thermopower and Electrical Conductivity through Isovalent Substitution of Cerium in Bismuth Selenide Thermoelectric Materials

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

20 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)44026-44035
Journal / PublicationACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume11
Issue number47
Online published18 Nov 2019
Publication statusPublished - 27 Nov 2019

Abstract

It is challenging to achieve highly efficient thermoelectric materials due to the conflicts between thermopower (Seebeck coefficient) and electrical conductivity. These parameters are the core factors defining the thermoelectric property of any material. Here, we report the use of isovalent substitution as a tool to decouple the interdependency of the Seebeck coefficient and the electrical properties of cerium-doped bismuth selenide thermoelectric material. With this strategy, we can achieve a simultaneous increase in both the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient of the material by tuning the concentration of cerium doping, due to formation of neutral impurities and consequently the improvement of carrier mobility. Our theoretical calculation reveals a downward shift of the valence band with cerium concentration, which influences the thermoelectric enhancement of the synthesized materials. Finally, an order of magnitude enhancement of the figure of merit is obtained due to isovalent substitution, thus providing a new avenue for enhancing the thermoelectric performance of materials.

Research Area(s)

  • isovalent substitution, metal chalcogenides, power factor (PF), simultaneous enhancement, thermoelectric (TE)

Citation Format(s)

Simultaneous Enhancement of Thermopower and Electrical Conductivity through Isovalent Substitution of Cerium in Bismuth Selenide Thermoelectric Materials. / Musah, Jamal-Deen; Yanjun, Xiao; Ilyas, A. M. et al.
In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Vol. 11, No. 47, 27.11.2019, p. 44026-44035.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review