Preparation and thermoelectric properties of AgPbmSbSem+2 materials

Hydrothermally synthesized AgPbmSbSem+2 (m=10, 12, 16, 18) nanoparticles with diameters of 20–50 nm were compacted by pressureless sintering. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of the samples were measured from room temperature up to ∼750 K. The samples show large and positive values of the Seebeck coefficient and moderate electrical conductivity. The thermoelectric properties of AgxPb18SbSe20 (x=0.8, 0.85) and AgPb18SbSe20−yTey (y=1, 3) samples have also been studied. It has been found that Ag0.85Pb18SbSe20 sample has a higher thermoelectric power factor. A significant difference in thermoelectric properties has also been observed for the AgPb18SbSe20 samples prepared with pressureless sintering and spark plasma sintering.