Abstract
In Bi2Te3-based alloys doped with Cu or Cu–halide, Cu atoms show super diffusion in the interstitial positions. As Cu shows donner properties in Bi2Te3-based alloys, the thermoelectric properties of these alloys change with aging time because of the decrease in Cu atoms or Cu+ ions which are oxidized on the surface of the sample. By using the change in electrical conductivity with the aging time, the mechanism of diffusion of Cu in polycrystalline Bi2Te3-based alloys fabricated by plastic deformation of hot pressing sample was investigated. Consequently, an activation energy of 9.44 kJ/mol was obtained for Cu in the sample. Moreover, the rate of change in electrical conductivity decreased with the aging time and was inversely proportional to the aging time. It would be mainly due to the deposition of Cu-oxide on the surface of the sample, which suppresses further oxidation of Cu atoms or Cu+ ions. Two models of oxidation of Cu on the surface of the Bi2Te3-based sample were considered and the rate of change in electrical conductivity as a function of aging time was explained.
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