Electrical transportation performances of Nb–SrTiO3 regulated by the anion related chemical atmospheres

Abstract The present work shows the possibility to regulate the thermoelectric performance of SrNb x Ti 1-x O 3 by the anion composition and its created chemical atmosphere, apart from the previously applied cation doping or substitution procedures. The chemical environment associated to anion composition has been regulated by two ways: 1) creating oxygen deficiency during thin film growth; 2) hydrogenation of the already-grown thin films. For both approaches, a reduced resistivity and Seebeck coefficient have been realized by creating a more reductive chemical environment. Via hydrogenation approach, the resistivity of SrNb x Ti 1-x O 3 can be reversibly regulated in a broad range over one order of magnitude, which is expected to receive potential applications in areas such as gas sensing.