Bottom-up processing and low temperature transport properties of polycrystalline SnSe

• SnSe nanorods were synthesized by a simple and efficient hydrothermal approach.
• The role of temperature, time and NaOH content was investigated.
• SPS densification allowed for low temperature transport properties measurements.
• Transport measurements indicate semiconducting behavior.

A hydrothermal approach was employed to efficiently synthesize SnSe nanorods. The nanorods were consolidated into polycrystalline SnSe by spark plasma sintering for low temperature electrical and thermal properties characterization. The low temperature transport properties indicate semiconducting behavior with a typical dielectric temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity. The transport properties are discussed in light of the recent interest in this material for thermoelectric applications. The nanorod growth mechanism is also discussed in detail.

SnSe nanorods were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method through a bottom-up approach. Micron sized flower-like crystals changed to nanorods with increasing hydrothermal temperature. Low temperature transport properties of polycrystalline SnSe, after SPS densification, were reported for the first time. This bottom-up synthetic approach can be used to produce phase-pure dense polycrystalline materials for thermoelectrics applications.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide