Tuning of dimensionless figure of merit via boundary scattering in In 2 O 3-δ

Abstract : In this paper, the dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) is optimized using the scattering in nanocrystals (NCs) of Zr-doped In2O3-δ. The effect of boundary scattering on the thermoelectric properties of the NCs was analyzed using the Boltzmann transport equation and Debye-Callaway model. A ZT map computed based on these theories determined the optimum material parameters to improve the transport properties of the NCs. A theoretically predicted enhancement in ZT of ∼40% can be reproduced experimentally, indicating that engineering of ZT using NCs is promising.