Strain-assisted, low-temperature synthesis of high-performance thermoelectric materials

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2014 Feb 28;16(8):3529-33. doi: 10.1039/c3cp54969k.

Abstract

Utilizing internal energy artificially implemented by cold-pressing in the specimens, we demonstrate a way to synthesize high-quality bulk thermoelectric materials at otherwise too low a temperature to approach to an equilibrium state. This low-temperature synthesis technique will provide a new opportunity to integrate high-performance thermoelectric materials into various electronic devices for a built-in energy source, as well as to develop low-cost fabrication methods.