The p-type Mg2LixSi0.4Sn0.6 thermoelectric materials synthesized by a B2O3 encapsulation method using Li2CO3 as the doping agent

Abstract

This paper presents a facile synthetic procedure for p-type Mg₂Si_0.4Sn_0.6 thermoelectric material. The B₂O₃ encapsulation method was used for synthesis, and Li₂CO₃ was used as the doping agent. These samples showed electrical conductivities and Seebeck coefficients comparable to samples doped with pure Li, but the MgO produced during the carbonate reaction had significant influence on the lattice thermal conductivity of the materials. A peak ZT ∼ 0.7 was obtained in the Mg₂Li_0.025Si_0.4Sn_0.6 sample.