Al-doped ZnO prepared by co-precipitation method and its thermoelectric characteristics

Abstract We report on structural and electrical characterization of zinc oxide material containing aluminum (Al:ZnO) prepared by a co-precipitation technique using different zinc and aluminum precursors. The as-prepared powders were calcinated and pre-annealed at 600 °C and 1200 °C. These were cold-pressed to pellets and sintered at 1000 °C. We also prepared ZnO material with no Al for comparisons. The electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as the Seebeck coefficient, were measured. These properties were correlated with structural analysis by X-ray diffraction characterization and scanning electron microscopy. The process yields a nanostructured material with much reduced thermal conductivity.