Thermoelectric Properties of p-Type Bismuth Telluride Material Fabricated by Plasma Sintering of Metal Powder Mixture

Takeo TOKIAI; Takashi UESUGI; Yuji ETON; Satoshi TAMURA; Yasuhiro YONEYAMA; Kunihito KOUMOTO

doi:10.2109/jcersj.104.837

Takeo TOKIAI, Takashi UESUGI, Yuji ETON, Satoshi TAMURA, Yasuhiro YONEYAMA, Kunihito KOUMOTO

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Keywords: Plasma sintering, Spark plasma, Bismuth telluride, Thermoelectrics, Figure of merit, Compressive strength

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1996 Volume 104 Issue 1213 Pages 837-843

DOI https://doi.org/10.2109/jcersj.104.837

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Abstract

Semiconducting ceramics of p-type bismuth telluride was fabricated by plasma sintering using milled powders of (Bi₂Te₃)_0.25(Sb₂Te₃)_0.75+Se2.0mass%. The figure of merit and compressive strength were as large as 2.7×10^-3K^-1(25°C) and 6MPa, respectively. Their thermoelectric properties did not exhibit anisotropy due to their isotropic microstructure without grain orientation. The power factor increased with increasing sintering temperature and pressure, and was independent of the sintering time. Thermoelectric properties apparently have been generated possibly due to enhanced cleaning and activity of milled powder by spark plasma effect.

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