Thermoelectric Properties of Silver Antimonate with Mixed Valency of Antimony

Abstract

Silver (Ag) and silver antimonate (AgSbO3) composites with different amounts of Sb3+ were synthesized by normal sintering with the aim of realizing a thermoelectric material. The electrical conductivity (σ) increased in the sample containing larger amount of Sb3+, whereas Seebeck coefficient (S) decreased. Producing Sb3+ caused the generation of oxygen vacancies in the material, and thus the corresponding donor levels are created in the bandgap, providing more conduction electrons. The conductive Ag particles would contribute to the conduction path as bypasses for carrier transport. The thermal conductivity (κ) was slightly lower in the presence of Ag defects in AgSbO3.