Yttrium-doped effect on thermoelectric properties of La0.1Sr0.9TiO3 ceramics

Ceramic samples of La_0.1Y _x Sr_0.9–x TiO₃ with different yttrium concentration have been synthesized by conventional solid state reaction technique, and their thermoelectric properties have been investigated. X-ray diffraction characterization confirms that the main crystal structure is of perovskite, but with a small amount of second phase of Y₂Ti₂O₇ for samples with x = 0.05, 0.08, and 0.10. SEM images indicate all ceramic samples are dense and compact, and the largest grain size appears in sample with x = 0.03 and 0.05. Also the second phase can also be identified from the SEM images for x = 0.05, 0.08, and 0.10 samples. Electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of samples have been measured in the temperature range between 300 and 1100 K. With increasing of yttrium concentration, electrical resistivity decreases, and reaches 0.8 mΩ cm for x = 0.10 sample at room temperature. The absolute Seebeck coefficients increase monotonically with increasing temperature in the whole temperature range. Sample with x = 0.03 exhibits the highest absolute Seebeck coefficient 219 μV K⁻¹ at 1059 K, as well as the maximum power factor 11 μW cm⁻¹ K⁻² at 624 K.