Microstructure and properties of p-type （Bi0.25Sb0.75）2Te3 fabricated by spark plasma sintering

P-type thermoelectric material （Bi0.25Sb0.75）2Te3 was sintered by spark plasma sintering（SPS） process in the temperature range of 320-420℃. The microstructures of sintered materials were found to be well aligned, particularly when sintered at lower sintering temperatures. The electrical conductivity of the material became larger as the sintering temperature increased. The Seebeck coefficient showed a general decreasing tendency with an increase in sintering temperature. In terms of the power factor, the optimum sintering temperature was found to be 380 ℃ for a maximum value of around 2.6 mW/K.