Can Aluminium Antimonide Be Used As A Thermoelectric Material?

Aluminum antimonide (AlSb) is a semiconductor compound with promising thermoelectric properties, making it a potential candidate for thermoelectric applications.

Thermoelectric materials are used to convert heat energy into electrical energy or vice versa. The performance of a thermoelectric material is characterized by its figure of merit, ZT, which depends on its electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity.

AlSb has a high Seebeck coefficient, meaning it can generate a significant voltage difference in response to a temperature gradient. It also has a relatively low thermal conductivity, which can reduce heat loss and improve the efficiency of energy conversion.

However, AlSb's electrical conductivity is relatively low compared to other common thermoelectric materials. To address this limitation, researchers have investigated various doping strategies to increase its carrier concentration and enhance its electrical conductivity.

Overall, while further research is needed to optimize its thermoelectric properties, AlSb shows promise as a thermoelectric material due to its high Seebeck coefficient and low thermal conductivity.