Thermoelectric material using ZrNiSn-based half-Heusler structures

摘要

The present invention provides a thermoelectric material made from the ZrNiSn-based, half-Heusler structure where Pd is alloyed on the site of Ni, Hf alloyed on Zr, and Sb doped on Sn, all in accordance with the formula Zr_{0 5}Hf_0.5Ni_1-xPd_xSn_0.99Sb_{0 01}. The structure significantly increases the value of the figure of merit (ZT) by decreasing the structure's thermal conductivity, without significant increases to its Seebeck coefficient.