Feasibility of Using Chromium as a Switching Material for CrSi2

The feasibility of using layers of metallic chromium as a switching material for a medium-temperature thermoelectric CrSi 2 is investigated. The CrSi 2 /Cr samples are synthesized by the hot pressing of a fine electrolytic chromium powder with single-crystal and polycrystalline chromium disilicide, followed by high-temperature annealing. X-ray phase analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy X-ray dispersive spectroscopy and electron backscatter diffraction showed that no secondary phases are formed both in the bulk of the thermoelectric material and at the CrSi 2 –Cr interface. Therefore, Cr can be recommended as a switching material.