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Effect of the Microstructure on the Thermoelectric Properties of Polycrystalline Lanthanum Chalcogenides
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
Abstract
Small amounts of second phase materials can have important effects on the thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline γ-La3-xX4 (X-S, Te; 0<x<l/3). Microscopic examination by SEM of hot pressed La3–xTe4 samples has revealed from 1–5 vol. % of La202Te, an amount which is not detected by x-ray powder diffraction measurements. This amount of La202Te resulting from oxygen contamination can reduce the concentration of electrons by as much as 10% to 75% below the electron concentration calculated for single phase La3–xTe4 in the composition range of greatest interest. Small amounts of second phase materials can also lower the lattice thermal conductivity by scattering low frequency phonons These results indicate that microstructural effects should be considered when electrical and thermal properties of polycrystalline materials are analyzed.
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