Abstract

Several samples of Zn-Sb alloys, composed with β-Zn4Sb3 and Zn phases, were prepared by solidification under high magnetic fields (HMFs). The microstructure evolution and thermoelectric (TE) properties of the alloys were then investigated. Zn phase precipitated as strip and presented reticulation structure in the samples without HMFs. When the HMFs were imposed, Zn became disperse and the strip of Zn became thinner and shorter. In addition, the c-axis of Zn crystals showed a tendency to orientate toward the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field direction. The samples prepared under HMFs had higher resistivity and Seebeck coefficient and lower thermal conductivity. When compared to the solidified samples without HMFs, the application of 8.8 T of HMF increased the maximum figure of merit 3.7 times. In addition, the relationship between microstructure and TE properties was also analyzed.

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