Extremely low thermal conductivity of AgTlTe

The polycrystalline-sintered sample of AgTlTe was prepared by solid-state reactions. The sample bulk density is about 90% of the theoretical density. The melting temperature was measured by a differential thermal analysis under argon atmosphere. The thermal diffusivity was measured by a laser flush method from room temperature to 600 K. The thermal conductivity was evaluated from the thermal diffusivity, heat capacity, and density. The thermal conductivity of AgTlTe is extremely low, which is about 0.25 W m(-1) K-1 at room temperature. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.