Effects of TiB2 addition on spark plasma sintering and thermoelectric performance of Y-doped SrTiO3 synthesized by polymerized complex process

The Y-doped SrTiO3 + TiB2 composites were synthesized by polymerized complex process and subsequent spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effects of TiB2 addition on sintering behavior and control of thermoelectric performance were discussed. When TiB2 was added, the densification temperature during SPS was significantly reduced by about 200 K. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity were controllable by changing an amount of TiB2, as well as the content of Y dopant. The thermal conductivity of Y-doped SrTiO3 + 5 mass% TiB2 composites was smaller than that of the conventional hot-pressed sample in spite of containing high thermal conductor, TiB2, because of their finer microstructures due to the SPS process, resulting in the figure of merit larger than the hot-pressed sample.