Abstract
The average and local structures of the (PbTe) 1-x (PbS) x system of thermoelectric materials has been studied using the Rietveld and atomic pair distribution function methods. Samples with 0.25≤x are macroscopically phase separated. Phase separation was suppressed in a quenched x=0.5 sample which, nonetheless, exhibited a partial spinodal decomposition. The promising thermoelectric material with x=0.16 showed intermediate behavior. Combining TEM and bulk scattering data suggests that the sample is a mixture of PbTe-rich material and a partially spinodally decomposed phase similar to the quenched 50% sample. This confirms that, in the bulk, this sample is inhomogeneous on a nanometer length scale, which may account for its enhanced thermoelectric figure of merit.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 045204 |
Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
Volume | 80 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 6 2009 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics