Texture-dependent thermoelectric properties of nano-structured Bi2Te3.

• Achieving texture-degree-control to control the thermoelectric performance of layered-structured materials. • Proposing that the texture degree of Bi 2 Te 3 -based materials should be properly designed. • Linking nanostructure engineering with texture engineering to manipulate the thermoelectric properties. In this study, Bi 2 Te 3 nanostructures were synthesized with controlled morphologies by using a solvothermal process and then sintered by spark plasma sintering to obtain bulk samples with controllable texture degrees. The sintered nanostructured Bi 2 Te 3 pellets show texture-dependent thermoelectric properties, in which their Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity can be optimized by the proper texture design to simultaneously secure a high carrier mobility and strong phonon scattering, resulting in a peak ZT value of ~0.69 at 333 K. This study reveals the potential of texture engineering in developing high performance anisotropic thermoelectric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]