Abstract
Polycrystalline samples of the skutterudite compounds CaxCo4Sb12 were synthesized and investigated by means of electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and thermopower in the 300–800 K temperature range. Additional Hall effect measurements were performed between 2 and 300 K. Both Ni-free and Ni-containing Co powders were used as starting materials to elucidate the impact of Ni impurities at the ppm level on the thermoelectric properties. The presence of minute amounts of Ni atoms in the crystal structure leads to enhanced thermopower values with respect to the Ni-free samples, likely associated with the development of additional electron pockets near the Fermi level. Ni impurities, thus, play a significant role on the transport properties and lead to a spectacular increase in the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit ZT of up to 150% at 800 K.
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call