Effect of Mn-doping on structural and morphological properties of nanostructured Bi2Te3 for thermoelectric applications.

Solvothermal synthesis was carried out for pure and Mn doped Bi2Te3 nanostructures. XRD verified that produced samples have rhombohedral crystal structure of space group R3̅m. FESEM studies revealed the hexagonal plate like morphology. EDS was performed to obtain elemental composition. Mn doping in nanostructured Bi2Te3 introduced the mass fluctuation and large density of interfaces which further may reduce the thermal conductivity. Seebeck coefficient can also be increased via quantum confinement attributable to nanostructuring. Therefore, doping with nanostructuring may be a beneficial method for raising Bi2Te3's "figure of merit (ZT)" for thermoelectric applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]