Abstract:
Thermoelectric properties of
Au$_{49}$Cu$_{26.9}$Ag$_{5.5}$Pd$_{2.3}$Si$_{16.3}$
glassy alloy have been studied
using electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient
measurements over temperature range $2$–$390$ K. At heating, resistivity
$\rho$ decreases in a power-law
manner from residual value $\rho_0\sim150\,\mu\Omega\,{\cdot}\,$cm.
The temperature coefficient of resistivity,
$\alpha=\rho^{-1}(\partial\rho/\partial T)$, is rather small and varies
non-monotonously. Thermal conductivity $\kappa$ rises
linearly at low temperatures; it exhibits a plateau-like feature and sharply
increases at elevated temperatures. Seebeck coefficient $S$ increases with
temperature and exhibits a characteristic “knee” feature. At elevated
temperatures, $S$ increases linearly with
temperature but with a different slope. It total, thermoelectric properties of
Au-based glassy alloy demonstrate behaviour of a highly disordered system in a
most pronounced manner.