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Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of Mg2Si1−x Sn x solid solutions by microwave irradiation

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Abstract

In order to reduce the oxidizing and volatilizing caused by Mg element in the traditional methods for synthesizing Mg2Si1−x Sn x (x=0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) solid solutions, microwave irradiation techniques were used in preparing them as thermoelectric materials. Structure and phase composition of the obtained materials were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity were measured as a function of temperature from 300 to 750 K. It is found that Mg2Si1−x Sn x solid solutions are well formed with excessive content of 5% (molar fraction) Mg from the stoichiometric Mg2Si1−x Sn x under microwave irradiation. A maximum dimensionless figure of merit, ZT, of about 0.26 is obtained for Mg2Si1−x Sn x solid solutions at about 500 K for x=0.6.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Shu-cai Zhou  (周书才) & Chen-guang Bai  (白晨光)

  2. School of Metallurgy and Material Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, 401331, China

    Shu-cai Zhou  (周书才)

Authors
  1. Shu-cai Zhou  (周书才)
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  2. Chen-guang Bai  (白晨光)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shu-cai Zhou  (周书才).

Additional information

Foundation item: Project(2009BB4228) supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing City, China; Project(CK2010Z09) supported by the Research Foundation of Chongqing University of Science and Technology, China

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Zhou, Sc., Bai, Cg. Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of Mg2Si1−x Sn x solid solutions by microwave irradiation. J. Cent. South Univ. 19, 2421–2424 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-012-1291-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-012-1291-z

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