Enhanced DC conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of CoWO4/PbWO4 nanocomposites: role of interface.

CoWO4/PbWO4 ceramic nanocomposites with an interface formation were prepared using a simple co-precipitation method and were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential measurement, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). DC conductivity (σdc) has been studied for variable temperature. The thermoelectric study was done, and related parameter such as Seebeck coefficient (S) and power factor (P) was calculated and discussed in detail. Enhanced σdc and S were observed for CoWO4/PbWO4 nanocomposites due to creation of space charge layer (SCL) at the interface. Interface formation between the CoWO4 and PbWO4 nanoparticles creates SCL which leads to increase the σdc and also interface acts as a barrier to scatter the charge carriers, thus enhancing the S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]