METHOD OF PRODUCING p-TYPE THERMOELECTRIC MATERIAL BASED ON SOLID SOLUTIONS OF BiTe-SbTe Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC H01L35/34 

FIELD: process engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to thermoelectric materials. Proposed method comprises synthesis of solid solution by alloying initial components Bi, Sb, Te taken in stoichiometric ratio in sealed ampoules protected by pyrocarbon layer in atmosphere of argon and placed in three-zone tubular furnace swinging about horizontal axis at temperature some 150-200°C higher than fusion point of solid solution of bismuth and antimony chalcogenides. Then, the melt is cooled at the rate of 200-250°C/min. Synthesized material is minced. Powder is placed in tight mould to be placed into compaction unit. Produced powder is compacted by spark plasma fritting in vacuum or inert atmosphere at 400-450°C and 50-100 MPa for not over 5 min. Then, extrusion is performed at 400÷500°C and 5.0-6.0 t/cm² at the rate of thermoelectric rod extrusion of 2.0-3.0 mm/min. Thereafter extruded rod is annealed at 340-370°C.

EFFECT: high thermoelectric efficiency and mechanical strength.

5 cl, 1 dwg, 2 tbl