Low-Temperature Thermoelectric Properties of Zn_4Sb_3 Prepared by Hot Pressing

摘要

Zn_4Sb_3 was successfully produced by a hot pressing technique, and its thermoelectric properties were investigated in the temperature range from 4K to 300K. The Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and thermoelectric figure of merit showed a discontinuity in variation at 242K, indicating the α-Zn_4Sb_3 to β-Zn_4Sb_3 phase transformation. Lattice thermal conductivity was found to be dominant in the total thermal conductivity of Zn_4Sb_3. Therefore, it is expected that thermoelectric properties can be improved by reducing the lattice thermal conductivity inducing phonon scattering centers.