Interplay of chemical expansion, Yb valence, and low temperature thermoelectricity in the YbCu2Si2−xGex solid solution

Abstract

YbCu2Si2 is a promising low temperature thermoelectric material because of the large broad peak in the Seebeck coefficient near 100 K combined with a low electrical resistivity. This behavior is thought to arise from fluctuating, or intermediate, valence effects due to partial occupation of Yb 4f energy states near the Fermi level. Previous studies of the magnetic properties under pressure have demonstrated that the average Yb valence is sensitive to the contraction of unit cell volume. By forming a solid solution of YbCu2Si2 with YbCu2Ge2, an isostructural compound with a larger unit cell volume, here we examine the subtle effects of lattice expansion on the transport properties and average Yb valence. We observe a shift in the peak of the Seebeck coefficient towards higher temperatures, as well as an enhanced power factor in the solid solutions. At the same time, a reduction in thermal conductivity due to alloy scattering enhances the thermoelectric figure of merit. Chemical pressure effects may thus be utilized to control and optimize the thermoelectric properties of these alloys in the cryogenic temperature range.