Structure, Magnetic and Thermoelectric Properties of High Entropy Selenides Bi0.6Sb0.6In0.4Cr0.4Se3

Abstract

Introducing magnetic elements or nanoparticles into the thermoelectric matrix is of great importance to regulate the thermoelectric performance and evaluate the magnetic-thermoelectric effect. While, the limitation of solid solution ability of magnetic elements in thermoelectric materials impedes the development of magnetic thermoelectric matrix. Herein, we have applied high entropy strategy to alloy a large amount of Cr elements into the Bi2Se3 sub-lattice, and successfully obtained a single-phase magnetic thermoelectric material in the nominal composition of Bi0.6Sb0.6In0.4Cr0.4Se3. The Magnetization loop curves of Bi0.6Sb0.6In0.4Cr0.4Se3 sample shows obvious ferromagnetic behavior with a coercivity of 2000 Oe and residual magnetization of 0.22 emu g-1 at 2 K. The temperature dependence of zero-field-cooled magnetic susceptibility and field-cooled magnetic susceptibility reveals a transition from ferromagnetism to paramagnetism at 61 K. These findings indicate that a magnetic Bi2Se3 based thermoelectric material is successfully obtained. The corresponding structure, magnetic and thermoelectric properties are also carefully discussed. This work offers a new avenue to achieve a magnetic thermoelectric material through high entropy strategy.