Design and optimization of manufacturing processes of nanocrystal doped high thermoelectric efficient bixsbytez materials with SPS

Thermoelectric materials are characterized by their ability to convert temperature differences into electricity and vice versa. The efficiency of a thermoelectric material is measured by its dimensionless efficiency value (ZT), which depends on factors such as the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. To maximize the ZT value, the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity values should be high, but the thermal conductivity value should be low. Maximizing ZT is a difficult task because optimizing one physical parameter can often negatively affect another. This work presents a systematic investigation of p-type BiSbTe thermoelectric material, which has a relatively high ZT value at room temperature. Firstly, the Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 material produced using conventional melt solidification and the spark plasma method (SPS) was optimized by changing the SPS parameters. Characterization of the material and thermoelectric measurements were performed, and the highest ZT values obtained were determined. Then, TiC, silicon, and glass were added to the Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 material to improve its thermoelectric properties. This study examines the potential of Bi0,5Sb1,5Te3-based thermoelectric materials, focusing on material and process optimizations to improve thermoelectric performance.