Electronic structure of Rh-based CuRh0.9Mg0.1O2oxide thermoelectrics

Abstract

The electronic structure of the Rh-based CuRh${}_{0.9}$Mg${}_{0.1}$O${}_{2}$ oxide thermoelectric compound has been studied with a multitechnique approach consisting of photoemission, x-ray absorption, and x-ray emission spectroscopies. The data indicate that the region of the valence band in the proximity of the Fermi level is dominated by Rh-derived states. These findings outline the importance of the electronic structure of the Rh ions for the large thermoelectric power in CuRh${}_{0.9}$Mg${}_{0.1}$O${}_{2}$ at high temperature.