Enhanced thermoelectric performance of AgSbTe2 synthesized by high pressure and high temperature

Near single phase ternary bulk thermoelectric material AgSbTe2 was synthesized by high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) method. The temperature-dependent thermoelectric properties including Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity were studied. The HPHT synthesized AgSbTe2 sample has higher thermoelectric performance in the measured temperature range than that of the same sample prepared at normal pressure. The enhanced thermoelectric properties should be attributed to the HPHT quenching which keeps partially the high electrical conductivity of AgSbTe2 under high pressure. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3106102]