Influence of Sn on the thermoelectric properties of (BixSb1-x)2Te3 single crystals

The influence of tin on the thermoelectric properties of p-(BixSb1-x)(2)Te-3 single crystals (x=0; 0.25; 0.5) has been investigated. The temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient S. the electrical conductivity sigma, the heat conductivity k and the thermoelectric figure of merit of p-(BixSb1-x)2Te3 single crystals were measured in the temperature range 7-300 K. By an increase the Sn content, the hole concentration increases in p-(BixSb1-x)(2-y)SnyTe3. The heat conductivity k of the p-(BixSb1-x)(2-y)SnyTe3 crystals decreases due to the Sn doping, while the electrical conductivity sigma increases in the temperature interval about 200 < T < 300 K and decreases at T < 200 K. The Seebeck coefficient S for all compositions is positive and decreases due to the Sn doping in the whole temperature range. The scattering on the ionized impurity increases due to Sn doping. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.