Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
We have shown that (Pb1-mSnmTe)1-x(PbS)x where m = 0.05 and x = 0.08 exhibits a ZT of ˜1.4 at 700 K. This system incorporates two thermoelectric systems: PbSxTe1-x and Pb1-xSnxTe. Here we report the thermoelectric properties of PbSxTe1-x (x = 0.08 and 0.30). The material PbS0.08Te0.92 exhibits nucleation and growth of PbS precipitates, while PbS0.30Te0.70 exhibits PbS precipitation through spinodal decomposition phase separation. We report the thermoelectric properties of this system as a result of the differing precipitation phenomena.