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 similar 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 AgPb(18)Sbse(20-y)Te(y) (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. © 2008, Elsevier Ltd