Temperature and magnetic field dependences of thermoelectric properties of Bi1-xSbx solid solutions in the range x = 0-0.25

Abstract

Bi1–xSbx solid solutions are the best n-type thermoelectric materials for use at temperatures ≤200 K. An important parameter determining material’s figure of merit is charge carrier concentration. To determine it correctly, one should carry out measurements in a weak magnetic field. On the basis of the magnetic field dependences of the Hall coefficient and magnetoresistance, the dependences of the weak magnetic field boundary Bc on composition (x = 0–0.25) and temperature (T = 77–300 K) for polycrystalline Bi1–xSbx alloys were plotted. It was established that the Bc(x) dependences exhibit a non-monotonic behavior which is attributed to the existence of electronic phase transitions.