Strong phonon scattering by layer structured PbSnS(2) in PbTe based thermoelectric materials.
The incorporation of PbSnS(2)  in PbTe results in a tremendous reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity to 0.8 W/mK at room temperature, a reduction of almost 60% over bulk PbTe. Transmission electron microscopy reveals very high density displacement layers, misfit dislocations, and phase boundaries. Our thermal transport calculations based on modified Debye-Callaway model, well in agreement with the experimental measurements, reveal that the layer structured PbSnS(2)  plays an important role in reducing the lattice thermal conductivity.
Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA. hejiaqing@mail.xjtu.edu.cn
Jiaqing
J
He
Steven N
SN
Girard
Jin-Cheng
JC
Zheng
Lidong
L
Zhao
Mercouri G
MG
Kanatzidis
Vinayak P
VP
Dravid
D007854:Lead / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D060739:Phonons; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013691:Tellurium / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D013814:Thermal Conductivity; D017971:Tin Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
D013440:Sulfides; D017971:Tin Compounds; D007854:Lead; D013691:Tellurium