Effect of Nickel Doping on Thermoelectric Properties of Bismuth Selenide

Doping of nickel with bismuth selenide can improve thermoelectric properties of bismuth selenide. X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) of the prepared materials has been analyzed to determine phase purity and crystallite size. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show there is a change in morphology from plate-like to flake-like structure with doping. Electrical conductivity increases while thermoelectric power and thermal conductivity decreases with doping of nickel. The maximum figure of merit becomes 0.1 at room temperature for doped sample which is five times higher than undoped sample (0.02).