The A2B3 compounds, with R-3m symmetry, have stimulated enormous research activity, because of their exceptional thermoelectric properties. More specifically, As2Te3 has shown some interesting properties and applications, which include memory devices, thermoelectric properties, conduction mechanism, and pressure-induced amorphisation to crystalline transition.
β-As2Te3 is an isostructural form to layered Bi2Te3 and is known for displaying good thermoelectric properties. Moreover, the interest evidenced in such systems is the possibility of pressure-inducing electronic topological transitions (ETT) which can result in significant enhancements of their thermoelectric properties.
Filipe Veloso e Pedro Costa