Realizing N-P transformation and high P-type thermoelectric performance
of InSb semiconductor via band regulation derived from the Cd doping
Abstract
InSb-based materials are promising thermoelectric (TE) alternatives at
medium temperature with the high power factor (PF) derived from the
intrinsically ultra-high mobility (104–105 cm2 V−1 s−1). N-type
InSb-based TE materials have been studied extensively due to the
intrinsic Sb vacancies originating from the low formation energy. Based
on that π-type TE devices are in favor of P-, N-legs with similar
thermal expansivity, P-type InSb-based materials are highly desired.
Herein, P-type InSb is synthesized by adjusting the Fermi energy via
performing Cd doping. The PF reaches up to ~1.91 × 10−3
W m−1 K−2 at 723 K due to the increased electrical conductivity and
inhibited bipolar diffusion effect caused by the high carrier
concentration. Furthermore, the lattice thermoelectric conductivity is
reduced to 2.0 W m−1 K−1 at 723 K on account of intensive phonon
scattering and suppressed bipolar diffusion effect. Finally, benefiting
from the simultaneous optimization of the electrical and thermal
properties, the optimized figure of merit (zT) value of 0.40 (increased
by ~7.0 times) at 723 K was achieved in P-type
Cd0.07In0.93Sb, which is comparable with most N-type InSb-based
materials. This study could be significant to develop cognate
thermostable TE devices using the P-type InSb counterparts.