Synthesis and Thermoelectric Properties of In z Co4−x Fe x Sb12 Skutterudites

Abstract

The thermoelectric properties of In-filled and Fe-doped CoSb 3 (In z Co 4Àx -Fe x Sb 12 ) skutterudites prepared by encapsulated induction melting were examined. A single d-phase was obtained successfully by subsequent annealing at 823 K for 120 h. The Hall and Seebeck coefficients of the In z Co 4Àx Fe x Sb 12 samples had positive signs, indicating p-type conduction. The electrical conductivity was increased by Fe doping, and the thermal conductivity was decreased by In filling due to phonon scattering. The thermoelectric properties were improved by In filling and Fe doping, and were closely related to the optimum carrier concentration and phonon scattering.

In-doped multifilled n-type skutterudites with ZT= 1.8

“…There are also attempts to improve the TE properties by doping and/or alloying e.g. substituting Co by Fe [33,[54][55][56][57][58], by Ni [31,59,60] and by Rh [61][62][63] or doping of the Sb site by Ge [20,64], by Se [65] and by Te [66][67][68][69]. Also double filled (Ba, In), substituted (Fe, Co) and doped (Sb by Ge) were investigated [36].…”