Thermoelectric properties of β-BaCu2S2

A polycrystalline sintered sample of β-BaCu2S2 with a natural superlattice structure was prepared by solid-state reactions. The thermal diffusivity and heat capacity were measured from room temperature to about 850 K. The thermal conductivity was evaluated from the thermal diffusivity and heat capacity. The value at room temperature is 0.86 W m-1 K-1. Using the data of the electrical resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient obtained in a previous study, the dimensionless figure of merit ZT of β-BaCu2S2 was evaluated. The ZT increases with increasing temperature and reaches 0.17 at 820 K. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.