Patent ID: 8481843

Claim:
A thermoelectric composition comprising a material represented by general formula (Ag a X 1−a ) 1±x (Sn b Pb 1−b ) m M′ 1−y Q 2+m wherein X is Na, K, or a combination of Na and K in any proportion; M′ is a trivalent element selected from the group consisting of Sb, Bi, lanthanide elements, and combinations thereof; Q is a chalcogenide element selected from the group consisting of S, Te, Se, and combinations thereof; a and b are independently greater than 0 and less than or equal to 1, x and y are independently greater than 0 and less than 1; and 2≦m≦30, wherein the material in the above formula is not charge balanced, or the material in the above formula is charged balanced but the subscript (1±x) of (Ag a X 1−a ) is not numerically equal to the subscript (1−y) of M′.