An in situ SEM experimental study of the thermal stability of a LAST thermoelectric material

作者：Ren Fei^*; Howe Jane Y; Walker Larry R; Case Eldon D; Lara Curzio Edgar

来源：Philosophical Magazine Letters, 2011, 91(7): 443-451.

DOI：10.1080/09500839.2011.579583

• thermoelectric
• thermal stability
• microstructure change
• SEM

Thermal stability is a requirement for the deployment of thermoelectric (TE) materials in the application of power generation. Lead-antimony-silver-tellurium (LAST) is an emerging material with promising TE properties. This study focuses on the thermal stability of a LAST sample with composition Ag(0.86)Pb(19)SbTe(20) fabricated from a cast ingot. Using a customized heating stage, the morphology of the LAST particles was studied via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in situ, between room temperature and 848 K. The material was found to be stable below 823 K. The inclusion phase, which was antimony-rich, had a lower thermal stability than the PbTe-rich matrix. SEM findings were consistent with the results of a thermogravimetric analysis. The results from an in situ heating study suggest that protective environments should be used during the processing and application of LAST materials.

• 出版日期2011