Thermoelectric properties of (Bi,Pb)–Sr–Co–O oxide

Electrical conductivity and thermopower of Bi₂Sr₃Co₂O_x sintered bodies were first investigated in the temperature range 440–1060 K in air for high-temperature thermoelectric application. The samples fabricated by the sinter-forging method increased their bulk densities and electrical conductivity. The value of thermopower and the temperature dependence of electrical conductivity of the sinter-forged samples were close to that of the single crystal. Evaluating the thermal conductivity of the polycrystalline sample, we calculated a thermoelectric figure of merit Z to be 0.107 × 10⁻³ K⁻¹ at 1060 K.