Study on phase diagram of Ag-Sb-Te₂ system for thermoelectric device application

Abstract

In order to establish the synthesis process in Ag-Sb-Te₂ system, which is suitable for thermoelectric device, we have investigated the phase diagram of the AgSbTe₂-Ag₃SbTe₄ system using the differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. The results indicated that a mixed phase of AgSbTe₂ and Ag₂Te, which are expected to show high thermoelectric power coefficient, existed in the wide temperature region between 334 and 564°C at the composition of Ag_2.2Sb_1.8Te₄.