We present a model calculation, employing first-principles calculations as well as empirical data, which suggests that properly hole-doped bulk PbSe may show a Seebeck coefficient as high as $230\mu \text{V}/\text{K}$, in a temperature regime in which the lattice thermal conductivity is rather small. It may therefore show a figure-of-merit ZT as high as 2 for temperatures of 1000 K. Heavily doped p-type PbSe may offer better thermoelectric performance than the sister material, optimized PbTe, for high-temperature applications such as power generation.

• Received 14 May 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.82.035204