Studies on the thermal stability of BiCuSeO

BiCuSeO based materials have been reported as very promising thermoelectric materials, with thermoelectric figure of merit values that make them among the best p-type Pb-free polycrystalline thermoelectric materials, and they could be suitable for applications in thermal to electrical power conversion modules in a 300-650 degrees C temperature range. In this paper, we report on the phase stability and thermal stability of these materials under inert and oxidizing atmosphere and we discuss their actual potential for wide scale applications. We show that although they are stable in inert atmosphere up to 650 degrees C, with very slow volatilization rate, it is not the case under oxidizing atmosphere, with a quick oxidation starting at a moderate temperature. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.