ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide an understanding of the physical and chemical fabrication processes by giving a brief description about each technique followed by examples of Thermoelectric (TE) material architectures synthesized using them. Traditionally, TE materials have been made by solid-state reactions or melt crystallization routes. Solid-state synthesis reactions are commonly applied for the fabrication of TE materials. Chemical fabrication routes are bottom-up strategies that allow a better control on the size and morphology of TE nanostructures as various parameters can be adjusted/tailored during the fabrication process. The reaction is performed at slightly elevated temperatures in a sealed pressure container, during which the metal ions coming from the dissolution of the precursor materials are precipitated by the reducing agent, thus forming the desired TE phase. Electrochemical synthesis routes have been used for the fabrication of TE nanowires/nanorods and films. Postprocessing of bulk TE materials is a recently reported route which is very effective in introducing nanoscale features.
