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A5: Nanoscale and low dimensional effects

Synthesis and Characterization of Cu2-xSe nanoparticles for Thermoelectric Application

B Khasimsaheb1, Rajesh Kumar1*, S.Neeleshwar1*, B Shivaiah2, Ajay Dhar2
1 USBAS, GGS Indraprastha University, New Delhi, INDIA2 Metals & Alloys Group, CSIR-NPL, New Delhi, INDIA.

Abstract:

In the present investigation we prepared Cu2-xSe nanoparticles with and without surfactant. The synthesized nanopowders were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HR-TEM), Energy Dispersion Spectrum (EDS) & Selective Area Electron Diffraction (SAED). XRD results confirm that the samples were phase pure and having simple cubic structure which was in good agreement with the bulk. The line broadening in XRD peaks were due to its quantum confinement. The crystallite size increment was observed in the surfactant coated sample from 11 nm to17 nm. Deficiency of the copper was confirmed by the EDS. Further phase and structural confirmation was done by HR-TEM. The TEM micrographs suggest that the sample was highly crystalline, which further confirmed by SAED bright dotted circles & planes matched with the XRD peaks. The smaller sized Cu2-xSe nanoparticles may enhance the thermoelectric properties due to increase in grain boundary scattering as well as Cu ion deficiency from cubic site works as a vacancy defect by reducing its thermal conductivity.

Key Words: Cu2-xSe Nanoparticles, XRD, EDS, HR-TEM & SAED.