SnSe has attracted much attention from scientific researchers because of its reported high ZT values. In this study, Sm doped p-type SnSe polycrystal is prepared through melting synthesis and high pressure (6.0 GPa) sintering (HPS) method. The composition and microstructure of the samples was analyzed, and the thermoelectric transport properties were investigated in the temperature range of 303 K to 823 K. The results indicate that the electrical conductivity increases as Sm content increases. The Seebeck coefficient shows a decreasing trend with increasing Sm content. Due to the increase of alloy scattering, the total thermal conductivity decreases with increasing Sm content. The maximum power factor (PF) and ZTmax value are 214 mu W m(-1) K-2 and 0.55 for Sn0.97Sm0.03Se at 823 K, respectively. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.