Thermoelectric and electrical characteristics of SmS ceramic samples after exposure to a pulsed magnetic field

Samarium monosulfide (SmS) is a promising material for creating thermoelectric generators (TEG), gas sensors and strain gauges. Despite the high values of the generated thermo electromotive force (TEMF) ( α ≈ 170–350 μV/K), methods for increasing the efficiency of TEGs based on SmS are of considerable interest. One of these methods can be short-term effects of magnetic fields, including pulsed ones, on these materials. The action of a pulsed magnetic field (PMF) leading to an increase in TEMF ( U T ) of SmS ceramic samples is found. Samples that are not subjected to high frequency currents (HFC) annealing show an increase in U T of 44.54%–62.18% (from 11.9 to 17.2–19.3 mV). The conductivity ( σ ) of the samples is ∼ 22 Ω −1 /cm and is insensitive to short-term exposure to a PMF. Samples that undergo HFC annealing show an increase in U T of 23.47%–41.31% (from 21.3 to 26.3–30.1 mV) after exposure to a PMF. The conductivity of the samples is ∼ 15 Ω −1 /cm and after a short exposure to the PMF is changing non-monotonically, with an increase in the overall instability. The difference in the values of U T and σ can be explained by presence of an ordered grain structure and a significant amount of the Sm 2 O 2 S phase in the samples subjected to HFC annealing. Possible mechanisms of the observed changes are discussed. It is found that the effect of a pulsed magnetic field (PMF) leads to a long-term increase in thermoEMF (UT) of ceramic SmS samples. Samples that were not subjected to annealing by high-frequency currents (HFC) show an increase in UT by 44.54%–62.18% (a) after exposure to PMF. Samples annealed with HFC show an increase in UT of 23.47%–41.31% (b) after exposure to PMF.