Thermoelectric properties, phase analysis, microstructural investigation and lattice parameters c/a ratio of Al3+ and In3+ dual-doped zinc oxide-based ceramics sintered at high temperature under an argon atmosphere

Composition in (Zn0.98-yIny) (y = 0.05, 0.02, 0.01, 0.005) were fabricated via conventional solid-state sintering route under an argon atmosphere at 1400 °C for 10 h (h) their phases, microstructures and thermoelectrical properties were investigated. Single phase ceramics were formed for the composition with y ≤ 0.05. The highest power factor (PF) of 481.8 µW K−2 m−1 ± 0.2, Seebeck coefficient −98.08 µV K−1 ± 0.2 and electrical resistivity (ρ) of 1.997 mΩ cm ± 0.2 was obtained for x = 0.02, y = 0.005 i.e., (Zn0.975Al0.02In0.005)O. It is studied that PF is a function of lattice parameter c/a ratio. The resistivities of all the compositions were tuned. These tuned resistivities will be helpful for future thermoelectric devices.