Microstructure and Thermoelectric Properties of p-Type Bismuth Telluride Prepared by HIPping of Metal Powder Mixture

Abstract

High figure of merit, 2.6×10^-3K^-1 at 25°C, was achieved in p-type bismuth telluride ceramics fabricated by hot-isostatically pressing the pulverized metallic powder mixtures. Pulverization behavior of the metallic powders obeyed the Rittinger's low and the resultant thermoelectric properties depended on the pulverizing conditions. Dissolution-condensation mechanism for densification gave rise to the isotropic microstructure and hence isotropic thermoeletric characteristics.