Improving the zT value of thermoelectrics by nanostructuring: tuning the nanoparticle morphology of Sb₂Te₃by using ionic liquids

Abstract

A systematic study on the microwave-assisted thermolysis of the single source precursor (EtSb)Te (1) in different asymmetric 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium- and symmetric 1,3-dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) reveals the distinctive role of both the anion and the cation in tuning the morphology and microstructure of the resulting SbTe nanoparticles as evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A comparison of the electrical and thermal conductivities as well as the Seebeck coefficient of the SbTe nanoparticles obtained from different ILs reveals the strong influence of the specific IL, from which CmimI was identified as the best solvent, on the thermoelectric properties of as-prepared nanosized SbTe. This work provides design guidelines for ILs, which allow the synthesis of nanostructured thermoelectrics with improved performances.

Lattice Strain Enhances Thermoelectric Properties in Sb2Te3/Te Heterostructure

“…In order to compare the effect of Te nanoparticle on α of Sb 2 Te 3 at room temperature, Pisarenko plot was applied as shown in Figure . Sb 2 Te 3 with second phase (Te, Pt, Cu, Ag x Te y , γ‐Sb 2 Te 3 , I − ) and bulk Sb x Te y are also listed for comparison . For the same system, α roughly decreases with the increased n .…”

“…Sb 2 Te 3 with second phase (Te, Pt, Cu, Ag x Te y , γ-Sb 2 Te 3 , I − ) and bulk Sb x Te y are also listed for comparison. [50][51][52][53][54] For the same system, α roughly decreases with the increased n. According to these studies, α of Sb 2 Te 3 can be enhanced by creating potential barriers at the interfaces between the second phase and the host. In addition, α can also be regulated by controlling the interfacial density between the two phases.…”

Thickness-dependent properties of ultrathin bismuth and antimony chalcogenide films formed by physical vapor deposition and their application in thermoelectric generators

“…2 d) were identified. The presence of oxidation-related peaks in the XPS spectra of ultrathin Bi 2 Se 3 and Sb 2 Te 3 films is related to the susceptibility of these materials to rapid oxidation in air [24,25], as the synthesized ultrathin films were stored under ambient conditions for several months.…”

Towards Antimonene and 2D Antimony Telluride through Electrochemical Exfoliation

“…The Sb exfoliation to obtain antimonene is now in the spotlight because its sheets are expected to present low thermal conductance, semiconducting character and tunable bandgap from 0 to 2.28 eV, which is suitable for optoelectronic applications . Alternatively, 2D Sb 2 Te 3 , which belongs to metal transition trichalcogenides, is an attracting topological insulator with good thermoelectric performance . Some authors have demonstrated the promising potential of Sb 2 Te 3 nanosheets with topological insulator and thermoelectric performance for laser fabrication, thermoelectric and nanoelectronics applications …”