Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of Bi2O2Se with Ag Addition

Polycrystalline Bi2O2Se/Ag nanocomposites were synthesized by spark plasma sintering process. Their thermoelectric properties were evaluated from 300 to 673 K. With the addition of silver, the conductive second phase Ag2Se and Ag can be observed, which results in a significant enhancement of electrical conductivity. The maximum conductivity is 691.8 S cm−1 for Bi2O2Se/20 vol.% Ag, which increased nearly 500 higher times than the pure Bi2O2Se bulk. ZT value can be enhanced greatly, ~0.07, for Bi2O2Se/5 vol.% Ag at 673 K, which is two times larger than the pure sample