Influence of C60 fullerenes on thermoelectric properties of lead telluride

The influence of fullerenes on the thermoelectric properties of PbTe has been studied. Samples of lead telluride were obtained using a standard two-stage technology, which includes the synthesis of the compound in evacuated quartz ampoules and subsequent hot pressing. Fullerenes were introduced before the hot pressing stage. The samples were placed in toluene with fullerenes dissolved in it. The introduction of fullerenes into PbTe does not affect the concentration of charge carriers, but decreases their mobility. This causes a decrease in electrical conductivity, the thermo-emf does not change. Thermal conductivity also remains almost unchanged. As a result, the introduction of fullerenes into lead telluride leads to a significant decrease in the thermoelectric figure of merit.