Thermoelectric properties of Au-based metallic glass at low temperatures

The thermoelectric properties of Au₄₉Cu_26.9Ag_5.5Pd_2.3Si_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 ρ decreases in a power-law manner from residual value ρ₀ ∼ 150 μΩ cm. The temperature coefficient of resistivity, α = ρ⁻¹(∂ρ/∂T), is rather small and varies non-monotonously. Thermal conductivity κ 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 behavior of a highly disordered system in a most pronounced manner.