Improved thermoelectric properties in directionally grown Bi2Sr2Co1.8Oy ceramics by Pb for Bi substitution

Thermoelectric performances of misfit cobaltites can be controlled by grain orientation and/or by cation substitution. Both processes have been simultaneously performed by directional solidification at 0.03 m/h, using the laser floating zone technique, of Bi2−xPbxSr2Co1.8Oy (with x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6). The microstructure has shown two different main phases as a function of Pb content, a Co-poor phase for low Pb content (0.0 and 0.2) and a Co-rich one for higher Pb substitution. These microstructural changes are reflected on the thermoelectric properties leading to an important decrease on the resistivity and increase of thermopower for samples with 0.4Pb substitution. Both improvements lead to power factor values higher than usual in textured misfit cobaltites.

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► Very well aligned thermoelectric materials have been obtained by directional solidification.
► Pb addition modifies microstructure and thermoelectric properties.
► Best results have been obtained for samples with Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Co1.8Oy nominal composition.
► Power factor values as high as 1.0 × 10−4 W/K2 m have been reached.