A "reaction -extrusion process" has been developed to prepare Zn4Sb3 bulk materials with high thermoelectric performance. The synthesis, densification, and shape -forming of Zn4Sb3 bulk materials were realized simultaneously in one hot - extrusion process, and the resulting extrudates had high density with single β - Zn4 Sb3phase. A large extrusion ratio and a small punch speed are advantageous to enhance thermoelectric performance. The extruded Zn4Sb3 materials exhibited excellent thermoelectric performance, for example, the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit is 1.77 at 623 K, which is 36% higher compared to conventional hot - pressed materials. On the other hand, the incorporation of 1% SiC nanosized particles into Zn4Sb3 matrix leads to improvements in both thermoelectric and mechanical properties.
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