What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to analyze the phase composition and chemical characteristics of Pb-Bi-doped GeTe alloys as thermoelectric materials.

May 10, 2026

X-ray Diffraction and Analytical Electron Microscopy Study of Rhombohedral and Cubic phases in Pb-Bi-doped GeTe Alloy

Key Points

This study aims to analyze the phase composition and chemical characteristics of Pb-Bi-doped GeTe alloys as thermoelectric materials.
Conducted heat treatment on GeTe doped with Pb and Bi at 600 and 820 K.
Utilized X-ray diffraction and analytical electron microscopy for detailed phase analysis.
Identified main and secondary phases along with the distribution of impurities.
Rhombohedral R3m GeTe was the main phase (>90 wt %).
Cubic GeTe comprised up to 5 wt % and cubic Ge up to 2 wt %.
Trace amounts of germanium oxide and distribution of Pb and Bi in the matrix were observed.

Abstract

A study of GeTe doped with Pb and Bi (Ge0.86Pb0.1Bi0.04Te), used as a thermoelectric material, after heat treatment at 600 and 820 K demonstrates the potential and challenges of determining the chemical and phase composition of the matrix and precipitates using X-ray diffraction and analytical electron microscopy. The main phase is rhombohedral R3m GeTe (over 90 wt %); cubic GeTe (up to 5 wt %), cubic Ge (up to 2 wt %), and trace amounts of germanium oxide have been identified. The distribution of Pb and Bi impurities in the matrix crystal and secondary phase precipitates has been determined.

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Cite This Study

Suvorova et al. (Sun,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0021cdc8f74e3340f9cbcf https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1134/s1063774525601972

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