Low thermal conductivity of SrTiO₃−LaTiO₃ and SrTiO₃−SrNbO₃ thermoelectric oxide solid solutions

Electron-doped SrTiO₃ has been attracting attention as oxide thermoelectric materials, which can convert wasted heat into electricity. The power factor of the electron-doped SrTiO₃, including SrTiO₃-LaTiO₃ and SrTiO₃-SrNbO₃ solid solutions, has been clarified. However, their thermal conductivity (κ) has not been clearly identified thus far. Only a high κ (>12 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹) has been assumed from the electron contribution based on Wiedemann–Franz law. Here, we show that the κ of the electron-doped SrTiO₃ is lower than the assumed κ, and its highest ZT exceeded 0.1 at room temperature. The κ slightly decreased with the carrier concentration (n) when n is below 4 × 10²¹ cm⁻³. In the case of SrTiO₃-SrNbO₃ solid solutions, an upturn in κ was observed when n exceeds 4 × 10²¹ cm⁻³ due to the contribution of conduction electron to the κ. On the other hand, κ decreased in the case of SrTiO₃-LaTiO₃ solid solutions probably due to the lattice distortion, which scatters both electrons and phonons. The highest ZT was 0.11 around n = 1 × 10²¹ cm⁻³. These findings would be useful for the future design of electron-doped SrTiO₃-based thermoelectric materials.