The impact of surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate on the microstructure and thermoelectric properties of p-type (Sb_1-xBi_x)₂Te₃ electrodeposited films

This work reports on the synthesis of p-type (Sb_1-xBi_x)₂Te₃ thin films using pulsed electrodeposition with and without the presence of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The effect of SDS on the morphology of the films was investigated, and it was found that films with SDS in the electrolyte were smooth and denser as compared to the films without SDS. Post-deposition annealing of the films resulted in preferential crystal orientation. The Seebeck coefficient showed an improvement of 49% for the films deposited with SDS, which improved the overall power factor of the films by 143%.