Support of Cd doping in SnO2 nanoparticles to enhance its thermoelectric parameters

Abstract

In the present study we have successfully synthesized undoped and Cd doped SnO2 nanoparticles using the Sol-gel method with different concentrations of Cd solutions, and Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity have been reported at various temperatures. The structural, morphological, thermoelectric and electrical properties of undoped and doped samples were by XRD, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Seebeck effect and two point probe electrical measurement. XRD show the rutile tetragonal structure and the enhanced particle size in the range of 18.12 nm to 25.08 nm, and Raman active mode at 479cm-1 , 632cm-1 and 775cm-1 were measured by Raman spectroscopy. Morphology of the nanoparticles by using Scanning electron microscopy have revealed the random spherical shape and cluster formation of these nanoparticles. The maximum value of seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity and power factor for 6% doped SnO2 samples were found to be -297.92μV/°C, 33.33Ω-1 m-1 and 0.129117 x 106 Wm-1 /°C2 , respectively. These results reveal that the Cd doped tin dioxide (SnO2) nanoparticles can be used as a good candidate for thermoelectric applications.