Unraveling the Critical Role of Melt-Spinning Atmosphere in Enhancing the Thermoelectric Performance of p-Type Bi_0.52Sb_1.48Te₃ Alloys

Melt spinning has proven effective in maintaining chemical homogeneity and introducing multiscale microstructures that can reduce the lattice thermal conductivity and consequently enhance the thermoelectric performance of consolidated bulk materials. In this work, p-type Bi0.52Sb1.48Te3 bulk alloys are fabricated by melt spinning (MS) followed by subsequent plasma activated sintering (PAS). The influence of different MS atmospheres (air, Ar, N2, and He) on the morphologies of MS ribbons and the thermoelectric properties of MS-PAS bulk materials has been investigated systematically. Because of the relatively high thermal conductivity, a He atmosphere expedites the heat dissipation in the MS process and results in severe sublimation of tellurium and thus inferior thermoelectric performance. In contrast, an Ar atmosphere can essentially prevent heat loss of the fusant and suppress the sublimation of tellurium. Consequently, the corresponding Bi0.52Sb1.48Te3 sample (MS in Ar atmosphere) presents the highest peak ZT and average ZT values of 1.09 (at 340 K) and 0.81 (in 300–500 K), respectively. The average ZT of the sample prepared using an Ar atmosphere is almost three times the one prepared using a He atmosphere. This reflects the importance of using the appropriate atmosphere during the melt-spinning process. This result, which indicates that melt spinning in an Ar atmosphere is preferable to avoid heat loss, can also be extended to other materials.