Implications of doping on microstructure, processing, and thermoelectric performance: The case of PbSe

Jann A. Grovogui, Tyler J. Slade, Shiqiang Hao, Christopher Wolverton, Mercouri G. Kanatzidis, Vinayak P. Dravid*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, we highlight the often-overlooked effects of doping on the microstructure and performance of bulk thermoelectric materials to offer a broader perspective on how dopants interact with their parent material. Using PbSe doped with Na, Ag, and K as a model material system, we combine original computational, experimental, and microscopy data with established trends in material behavior, to provide an in-depth discussion of the relationship between dopants, processing, and microstructure, and their effects on thermoelectric efficiency and thermal stability. Notable observations include differences in the microstructure and mass loss of thermally treated samples of Na- and Ag-doped PbSe, as well as findings that Na and K cations exist predominantly as substitutional point defects while Ag also occupies interstitial sites and exhibits lower solubility. We discuss how these differences in point defect populations are known to affect a dopants’ ability to alter carrier concentration and how they may affect the mechanical properties of PbSe during processing. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1272-1284
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Materials Research
Volume36
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 28 2021

Funding

The authors would like to thank Professor David Dunand for taking the time to provide useful discussions on the creep of ceramic materials. This work is primarily supported by the U.S Department of Energy, Office of Science and Office of Basic Energy Sciences under award number DE-SC0014520. This work made use of the EPIC facility of Northwestern University’s NUANCE Center, which has received support from the Soft and Hybrid Nanotechnology Experimental (SHyNE) Resource (NSF ECCS-1542205); the MRSEC program (NSF DMR-1720139) at the Materials Research Center; the International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN); the Keck Foundation; and the State of Illinois, through the IIN. This work also made use of the MatCI Facility which receives support from the MRSEC Program (NSF DMR-1720139) of the Materials Research Center at Northwestern University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. DGE-1324585. Portions of this work were previously published in the dissertation of Jann Albert Grovogui (“Improving Thermoelectric Performance Through Defect Engineering with an Emphasis on the Mesoscale”, which was defended on October 19, 2020) and are reproduced (adapted) with permission from Jann Albert Grovogui. This work is primarily supported by the U.S Department of Energy, Office of Science and Office of Basic Energy Sciences under award number DE-SC0014520, and is additionally supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. DGE-1324585.

Keywords

  • Dopant
  • Microstructure
  • PbSe
  • Thermoelectric

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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