Abstract
Density functional theory was employed to design enhanced amorphous NbO2 thermoelectrics. The covalent-ionic nature of Nb–O bonding is identical in amorphous NbO2 and its crystalline counterpart. However, the Anderson localisation occurs in amorphous NbO2, which may affect the transport properties. We calculate a multifold increase in the absolute Seebeck coefficient for the amorphous state. These predictions were critically appraised by measuring the Seebeck coefficient of sputtered amorphous and crystalline NbO2 thin films with the identical short-range order. The first-order phase transition occurs at approximately 550 °C, but amorphous NbO2 possesses enhanced transport properties at all temperatures. Amorphous NbO2, reaching −173 μV K−1, exhibits up to a 29% larger absolute Seebeck coefficient value, thereby validating the predictions.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.