Abstract
B-C system compounds were prepared by arc melting in argon atmosphere using B4C, B and C powders. The non-stoichiometric composition of the B-C compounds ranged between 10 and 20at%C. The maxima of the Seebeck coefficient values were observed at 20at%C (B4C), and the greatest value was 270 μV/K at 1100K. The electrical conductivity increased with increasing carbon content in general, but had minimum at 17at%C (B5C). The thermal conductivity increased with increasing carbon content. The thermoelectric figure of merit values (Z) decreased with increasing carbon content, but the Z values showed maximum at 20at%C (B4C). The greatest ZT value of B4C at 1100K was 0.15.
