Lanthanum(III) telluride

Lanthanum(III) telluride is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula La₂Te₃. It is a binary compound consisting of the rare earth element lanthanum and tellurium. This material is a chalcogenide, belonging to a family of compounds often investigated for their thermoelectric properties.

La₂Te₃ exists as a crystalline solid. Its crystal structure is complex, with various reports suggesting different space groups depending on the specific preparation methods and temperature. It is typically described as having a defect anti-Th₃P₄ structure.

The compound exhibits semiconducting behavior. Its electrical and thermal properties are sensitive to composition, stoichiometry, and the presence of defects. Consequently, it has attracted interest for potential applications in thermoelectric energy conversion. Slight deviations from the ideal stoichiometry can significantly impact the material's carrier concentration and mobility, leading to substantial changes in its thermoelectric performance.

The synthesis of lanthanum(III) telluride commonly involves direct combination of the elements at elevated temperatures. Care must be taken during synthesis due to the reactivity of the reactants and the potential for forming other lanthanum telluride phases.

Research on La₂Te₃ has focused on understanding its electronic band structure, phonon transport, and defect chemistry to optimize its thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT). Doping strategies are frequently employed to enhance the carrier concentration and improve its thermoelectric properties.