Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of (CuyMo6Se8)1−x(Mo4Ru2Se8)x(CuyMo6Se8)1−x(Mo4Ru2Se8)x alloys

The Chevrel phase solid solutions (CuyMo6Se8)1−x(Mo4Ru2Se8)x(CuyMo6Se8)1−x(Mo4Ru2Se8)x, with nominal y=2y=2, 4 and x=0x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 have been investigated in efforts to find improved high temperature thermoelectric materials. The samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, and compositions were measured using quantitative electron microprobe analysis. The resistivity and Seebeck coefficient are reported from room temperature up to approximately 1100 K. From these measurements we estimate the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT  , and the most promising compound had ZT≈0.37ZT≈0.37 at 1000 K.