Cd13−xInySb10 (x≈2.7, y≈1.5): An Interstitial-Free Variant of Thermoelectric β-Zn4Sb3

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal 2009-07, Vol.15 (27), p.6704-6710
• Main Authors: Tengå, Andreas, Lidin, Sven, Belieres, Jean-Philippe, Newman, Nathan, Wu, Yang, Häussermann, Ulrich
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: antimony; cadmium; Chemistry; heterometallic complexes; indium; Inorganic chemistry; Kemi; NATURAL SCIENCES; NATURVETENSKAP; Oorganisk kemi; semiconductors; thermoelectrics
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.200802695

Although free from structural disorder, the new intermetallic compound Cd13−xInySb10 (see figure) displays similarly low thermal conductivity values as disordered thermoelectric β‐Zn4Sb3 with an isostructural framework. Cd13−xInySb10 (x≈2.7, y≈1.5) was synthesized in the form of mm‐sized crystals from reaction mixtures containing excess cadmium. The intermetallic compound crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group R$\bar 3$m with a=12.9704(4), c=12.9443(5) Å, V=1886.0(1) Å3, Z=3 and is isostructural to thermoelectric β‐Zn4Sb3 and β‐Cd4Sb3. However, in contrast to these last two compounds Cd13−xInySb10 is free from interstitial atoms and does not display any temperature polymorphism. The electrical resistivity of Cd13−xInySb10 is considerably higher than that of Zn4Sb3 and Cd4Sb3 although the temperature behavior remains that of a metal. The thermal conductivity of Cd13−xInySb10 is low, with room‐temperature magnitudes around 0.8 W m−1 K−1, which is comparable to disordered or complex structured Cd4Sb3 and Zn4Sb3. Although free from structural disorder, the new intermetallic compound Cd13−xInySb10 (see figure) displays similarly low thermal conductivity values as disordered thermoelectric β‐Zn4Sb3 with an isostructural framework.