SiC–B4C composites for synergistic enhancement of thermoelectric property

SiC–B4C composites were fabricated by hot pressing of β-SiC and B4C powder mixture. The Seebeck coefficient was determined at 300–900 °C in air. The SiC–B4C composites exhibited very high value. Especially, the Seebeck coefficient of SiC–30wt.%B4C composite was about 700 μ/K at 900 °C. Such a high Seebeck coefficient is very attractive. Monolithic SiC and B4C had the Seebeck coefficient of 100–400 μV/K, respectively. In SiC–B4C composite system, the Seebeck coefficient had been increased by the combination of SiC and B4C. In TEM observation, many stacking faults were observed in SiC–B4C composites. The presence of stacking faults may be one reason for the high Seebeck coefficient of SiC–B4C composite.