Pb-based Nanomaterials for Thermoelectric Application

PbTe, PbSe, PbSeTe, and PbSnTe nanocrystals having sizes in the range of $\sim $5-50 nm have been synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method. As-prepared nanopowder was processed using P$^{2}$C device, and samples with almost 100 percent density and small grain sizes were achieved. The thermoelectric properties of such samples have been investigated. Lower values of thermal conductivity were obtained from the samples prepared from nanomaterials. For further enhancement of the thermoelectric properties, the nanocrystals were doped with different elements, for example Ag, Cu, Eu, Bi, Sb, etc., and their thermoelectric properties have been studied.