Thermoelectric properties of pressed bismuth nanoparticles

Theory predicts a substantial increase in the dimensionless figure of merit as the dimensionality and characteristic size of a material are decreased. We explore the use of bismuth nanoparticles pressed into pellets as potential increased efficiency thermoelectric materials. The figure of merit of these pellets is determined by independently measuring the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. The results from the nanoparticle sample are compared to microparticle-based samples. Both sample types show a slight reduction in thermal conductivity relative to bulk bismuth and a Seebeck coefficient near or slightly larger in magnitude than bulk bismuth. These changes are dwarfed by a hundred-fold decrease in the electrical conductivity due to porosity and an oxide layer on the particles. The low conductivity leads to figures of merit at least two orders of magnitude smaller than bulk bismuth. Oxide layer removal and reduced pellet porosity will be required to increase the figure of merit.