Figure of merit of single crystals p-(BixSb1-x)2-ySnyTe3 in wide temperature range

Thermoelectric properties of p-(BixSb1-x)2-ySnyTe3 have been investigated in the temperature range (7-295) K. Doping of all investigated (BixSb1-x)2Te3 compounds by tin leads to the reduction of Seebeck coefficient and heat conductivity. At low temperature electrical conductivity is smaller in tin doped compounds while at room temperature conductivity of undoped and tin doped crystals are nearly the same. Tin doping causes decrease of thermoelectric figure of merit in all investigated samples. This is mainly due to decrease of Seebeck coefficient. Analysis of temperature dependence of Seebeck coefficient suggests that the addition of tin can lead to change of the major mechanism of hole scattering.