Transverse thermoelectric effect of asymmetrically doped Bi-Sb-Te compounds

The transverse thermoelectric effect is generally found in a material system with anisotropic electrical/thermal properties. Herein, we reported a simple way of forming thermoelectric anisotropy in a single piece of Bi-Sb-Te compound by partial doping of Ag elements. A transverse Seebeck effect is experimentally observed on an asymmetrically doped Bi-Sb-Te pellet with an effective Seebeck coefficient of 216 +/- 4 mu V/K. A two-dimensional distribution of electrical potential and temperatures in the pellet is modeled numerically. The size dependence of thermoelectric power and electrical resistance for asymmetrically doped Bi-Sb-Te compounds is also investigated. Published by AIP Publishing.