Low-temperature thermoelectric properties of p-type and n-type filled skutterudite compounds Sm_y(Fe_(1-x)Ni_x)_4Sb_(12) prepared under high pressure

摘要

Filled skutterudite compounds Sm-y(Fe1-xNix)(4)Sb-12 (nominal composition 0 = x = 0.56, 0.1 = y = 1.2) were synthesized under high pressure using a cubic anvil press. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry and electron probe microanalyzer. Thermoelectric properties of Sm-y(Fe1-xNix)(4)Sb-12 were investigated in the temperature range of 2-300 K. The Seebeck coefficient of samples exhibits the feature of p-type and n-type conductors depending on Sm-filling ratio and Fe/Ni content. The highest dimensionless figure of merit ZT value of 0.167 is achieved for nominal composition Sm-0.2(Fe0.6Ni0.4)(4)Sb-12 at room temperature.