Quantum Confinement Effect of Thermoelectric Properties

Using the quantum confinement effect based on the conduction band model, we theoretically determine the optimal concentration for the best figure-of-merit in n-type Bi2Te3 quantum well structures. The Bi2Te3 system has polycrystalline structures that can be prepared by using powders of hot-pressed alloys. The enhanced figure-of-merit due to the quantum confinement is almost caused by the enhanced Seebeck coefficient and by improved resistivity. It results from competition between the strong intrinsic characteristic and the enhancement of the volume ratio of the concentration in the quantum-confined system. The optimum concentration for the best figure-of-merit in the system amounts to 2.1 × 10^11 cm^-2 at room temperature. Control of the carrier concentration, as well as the quantum confinement effect, is also a very important effect to optimize the figure-of-merit in low-dimensional systems. KCI Citation Count: 4