SOLID STAE REACTION SYNTHESIS OF SKUTTERUDITE COMPOUNDS FexCo4-xSb12 AND THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES

Abstract

Skutterudite compounds FexCo4-xSb12 were synthesizedby solid state reaction using high-purity powders of Co,Fe,and Sb as starting materials.FexCo4-xSb12(x＝0—10) compounds were obtained at 900—1000K.The lattice constant of FexCo4-xSb12 increased with increasing substitution of Fe for Co sites.Carrier concentration and electrical conductivity increased with increasing Fe content.Seebeck coefficient decreased and Topt of Seebeck coefficient shifted to higher temperature with increasing Fe content.Lattice conductivity was reduced significantly by substitution of Fe for Co sites.The maximum ZT value of 05 was obtained for Fe0.92Co3.08Sb12 at 750K.