Achieving high power factor of p-type BiSbTe thermoelectric materials via adjusting hot-pressing temperature

Achieving high power factor values for BiSbTe alloys is important for further elevation of their thermoelectric performance. In this report, Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 bulk samples were prepared by a fusion method followed by hot pressing at different temperatures (523 K, 573 K, 623 K and 663 K), and their thermoelectric properties were investigated from 300 K to 500 K. It was found that the power factor and thermal conductivity increased significantly with increasing hot-pressing temperature. A record power factor of 53.8 μW/(cm K2) at 300 K was achieved for the sample hot pressed at 663 K. In addition, a maximum ZT of 1.3 at 413 K and average ZTave of 1.2 at 300-500 K were achieved for the sample hot pressed at 623 K.