Crystal structure and high temperature transport properties of Yb-filled p-type skutterudites YbxCo2.5Fe1.5Sb12

Dong, Yongkwan; Puneet, Pooja; Tritt, Terry M.; Nolas, George S.

Crystal structure and high temperature transport properties of Yb-filled p-type skutterudites YbxCo2.5Fe1.5Sb12

Type

Article

Authors

Dong, Yongkwan
Puneet, Pooja
Tritt, Terry M.
Nolas, George S.

Date

2014-01

Abstract

Partially Yb-filled Fe substituted polycrystalline p-type skutterudites with nominal compositions YbxCo2.5Fe1.5Sb 12, with varying filler concentrations x, were synthesized by reacting the constituent elements and subsequent solid state annealing, followed by densification by hot-pressing. The compositions and filling fractions were confirmed with a combination of Rietveld refinement and elemental analysis. Their thermoelectric properties were evaluated from 300 to 800 K. The Seebeck coefficients for the specimens increase with increasing temperature and plateau at around 750 K. The thermal conductivity decreases with increasing Yb filling fraction, and bipolar conduction becomes evident and increases at elevated temperatures. A maximum ZT value of 0.8 was obtained at 750 K for Yb 0.47Co2.6Fe1.4Sb12. The thermoelectric properties and potential for further optimization are discussed in light of our results. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Citation

Dong Y, Puneet P, Tritt TM, Nolas GS (2014) Crystal structure and high temperature transport properties of Yb-filled p-type skutterudites YbxCo2.5Fe1.5Sb12. Journal of Solid State Chemistry 209: 1–5. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jssc.2013.10.009.

Acknowledgements

Y.D. and G.S.N. gratefully acknowledge financial support from the National Science Foundation and Department of Energy Partnership on Thermoelectric Devices for Vehicle Applications (Grant No. 1048796). The work in Dr. Tritt's lab acknowledges in part the support of a KAUST Faculty Initiated Collaboration grant and also some funding from Clemson University.