The thermoelectric properties of InxM0.2Co4Sb12 (M=Ba and Pb) double-filled skutterudites

• Published in: Solid state communications 2013-06, Vol.163, p.15-18
• Main Authors: Deng, L., Jia, X.P., Ma, H.A., Su, T.C., Jie, K., Guo, X.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. CoSb3; C. Skutterudite; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Conductivity phenomena in semiconductors and insulators; D. thermoelectric properties; E. HPHT; Electronic transport in condensed matter; Exact sciences and technology; Physics; Thermoelectric and thermomagnetic effects
• ISSN: 0038-1098; 1879-2766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssc.2013.03.021

Skutterudite compounds InxM0.2Co4Sb12 (M=Ba and Pb) with bcc crystal structure have been prepared by high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) method. Through this method, the processing time can be reduced from a few days to half an hour. Remarkably the combination of In and Ba was much more effective in reducing lattice thermal conductivity κL than In and Pb. The structure of InxM0.2Co4Sb12 skutterudites was evaluated by means of x-ray diffraction, and Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, power factor and thermal conductivity of InxM0.2Co4Sb12 were all presented in the temperature range of 314.9–673K. The transport properties measured on the synthesized samples have been compared with each other. The figures of merit, ZT, of samples all increased with the increasing temperature. Among all the samples, In0.5Ba0.2Co4Sb12 showed the highest power factor of 30.3μWcm−1K−2 at 643.5K, the lowest lattice thermal conductivity 1.128Wm−1K−1 at 643.5K and the maximum ZT value 0.80 at 673K. •Skutterudite compounds InxM0.2Co4Sb12 have been prepared by the HPHT method.•The processing time can be reduced from a few days to half an hour.•The excellent properties gained at high pressure can be partially kept to ambient pressure.•The thermoelectric properties have been improved effectively.•HPHT is a good thermoelectric materials synthetic method.