Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of p-type barium-filled skutterudite Ba_yFe_xCo_4−xSb_12

Single-phase barium-filled skutterudite compounds, Ba_ y Fe_ x Co_4− x Sb_12 ( x = 0 to 3.0, y = 0 to 0.7), were synthesized by a two-step solid-state reaction method. The maximum filling fraction of Ba ( y _max) in Ba_ y Fe_ x Co_4– x Sb_12 increased with increasing Fe content and was found to be rather greater than that of Ce_ y Fe_ x Co_4– x Sb_12. The y _max varied from 0.35 to near 1.0 when Fe content changed from 0 to 4.0. Ba_ y Fe_ x Co_4– x Sb_12 showed p -type conduction at a composition range of x = 0 to 3.0, y = 0 to 0.7. Carrier concentration and electrical conductivity increased with increasing Fe content and decreased with increasing Ba filling fraction. The Seebeck coefficient increased with increasing Ba filling fraction and with decreasing Fe content. Lattice thermal conductivity decreased with increasing Ba filling fraction and reached a minimum at a certain Ba filling fraction ( y = 0.3 to 0.4). The greatest ZT value of 0.9 was obtained at 750 K for p -type Ba_0.27Fe_0.98Co_3.02Sb_12. It is expected that further investigation on the optimization of filling fraction would result in a higher ZT value at the moderately low Fe content region.

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