title: CsBi(4)Te(6): A high-performance thermoelectric material for low-temperature applications
abstract: Thermoelectric (Peltier) heat pumps are capable of refrigerating solid or fluid objects, and unlike conventional vapor compressor systems, they can be miniaturized without loss of efficiency. More efficient thermoelectric materials need to be identified, especially for low-temperature applications in electronics and devices. The material CsBi(4)Te(6) has been synthesized and its properties have been studied. When doped appropriately, it exhibits a high thermoelectric figure of merit below room temperature (ZT(max) approximately 0.8 at 225 kelvin). At cryogenic temperatures, the thermoelectric properties of CsBi(4)Te(6) appear to match or exceed those of Bi(2-x)Sb(x)Te(3-y)Se(y) alloys.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University and Center for Fundamental Materials Research, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. Electrical and Computer Engineering & Materials Science and Mechanics, Michigan State University, East Lan.
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brazis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rocci-Lane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kannewurf
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bastea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Uher
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kanatzidis