Abstract
We show experimentally the direct reduction in lattice thermal conductivity as a result of in situ nanostructure generation within a thermoelectric material. Solid solution alloys of the high-performance thermoelectric PbTe-PbS 8% can be synthesized through rapid cooling and subsequent high-temperature activation that induces a spontaneous nucleation and growth of PbS nanocrystals. The emergence of coherent PbS nanostructures reduces the lattice thermal conductivity from ∼1 to ∼0.4 W/mK between 400 and 500 K.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2825-2831 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Nano letters |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 11 2010 |
Keywords
- Thermoelectric materials
- nucleation and growth
- semiconductors
- thermal conductivity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Bioengineering
- General Chemistry
- General Materials Science