Crystals (Jul 2021)

AgSn[Bi<sub>1−<i>x</i></sub>Sb<i><sub>x</sub></i>]Se<sub>3</sub>: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Electrical Behavior

  • Paulina Valencia-Gálvez,
  • Daniela Delgado,
  • María Luisa López,
  • Inmaculada Álvarez-Serrano,
  • Silvana Moris,
  • Antonio Galdámez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11080864
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 8
p. 864

Abstract

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Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and electrical properties of lead-free AgSnm[Bi1−xSbx]Se2+m (m = 1, 2) selenides. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns and Rietveld refinement data revealed that these selenides consisted of phases related to NaCl-type crystal structure. The microstructures and morphologies of the selenides were investigated by backscattered scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The studied AgSnm[Bi1−xSbx]Se2+m systems exhibited typical p-type semiconductor behavior with a carrier concentration of approximately ~+1020 cm−3. The electrical conductivity of AgSnm[Bi1−xSbx]Se2+m decreased from ~3.0 to ~10−3 S·cm−1 at room temperature (RT) with an increase in m from 1 to 2, and the Seebeck coefficient increased almost linearly with increasing temperature. Furthermore, the Seebeck coefficient of AgSn[Bi1−xSbx]Se3 increased from ~+36 to +50 μV·K−1 with increasing Sb content (x) at RT, while its average value determined for AgSn2[Bi1−xSbx]Se4 was approximately ~+4.5 μV·K−1.

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