CsBi4Te6: A high-performance thermoelectric material for low-temperature applications

Thermoelectric (Peltier) heat pumps are capable of refrigerating solid or f luid objects, and unlike conventional vapor compressor systems, they can be miniaturized without Loss of efficiency. More efficient thermoelectric mat erials need to be identified, especially for Low-temperature applications i n electronics and devices. The material CsBi4Te6 has been synthesized and i ts properties have been studied. When doped appropriately, it exhibits a hi gh thermoelectric figure of merit below room temperature (ZT(max) similar t o 0.8 at 225 kelvin). At cryogenic temperatures, the thermoelectric propert ies of CsBi4Te6 appear to match or exceed those of Bi2-xSbxTe3-ySey alloys.