Thermoelectric properties of Au-based metallic glass at low temperatures

Abstract

The thermoelectric properties of Au49Cu26.9Ag5.5Pd2.3Si16.3 glassy alloy have been studied using electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements over temperature range 2–390 K. At heating, resistivity ρ decreases in a power-law manner from residual value ρ0 ∼ 150 μΩ cm. The temperature coefficient of resistivity, α = ρ−1(∂ρ/∂T), is rather small and varies non-monotonously. Thermal conductivity κ rises linearly at low temperatures; it exhibits a plateau-like feature and sharply increases at elevated temperatures. Seebeck coefficient S increases with temperature and exhibits a characteristic “knee” feature. At elevated temperatures, S increases linearly with temperature but with a different slope. It total, thermoelectric properties of Au-based glassy alloy demonstrate behavior of a highly disordered system in a most pronounced manner.