Thermoelectric Properties of Nd2-xCexCuO4 Sintered Bodies.

Thermoelectric power factor and figure of merit of Nd2-xCexCuO4 (x=0-0.1) sintered bodies were estimated from the Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity measured in temperature range of 300-673 K. Temperature dependence of Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity showed n-type semiconducting behavior. Thermal conductivities, which decreased with increasing temperature for each Cc concentration, were in range of 3.7-7.5 Wm-1K-1. The power factor and the figure of merit for x=0.01 and 0.05 increased with decreasing temperature. Their maxima were 9.2⋅10-5 Wm-1K-2 and 1.7⋅10-5K-1, respectively, at 320 K for x=0.05. The figure of merit would be improved to some extent by reduction of lattice thermal conductivity.