We review the thermoelectric properties of metallic compounds which contain rare-earth atoms. They are the group of metals with the largest value ever reported of the Seebeck Coefficient. An increase by 50% of the Seebeck would make these compounds useful for thermoelectric devices. The largest Seebeck coefficient is found for compounds of cerium (e.g., CePd3) and ytterbium (e.g., YbA13). Theoretical predictions are in agreement with the maximum observed Seebeck. We discuss the theoretical model which has been used to calculate the Seebeck Coefficient. We are solving this model for other configurations (4f)n of rare-earth ground states.
IntroductionThere is a need to find new materials suitable for thermoelectric applications[ 1-51. Present materials are good at room temperature and above. New materials at high temperature are always useful for power generation devices. There is also a need for new materials at low temperatures for refrigeration. They would be used in cooling for superconducting magnets and electronics. Generally, a good thermoelectric material must have high values of the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient, while