High temperature thermoelectric properties of Zn-doped Eu5In2Sb6

Sevan Chanakian, Umut Aydemir*, Alex Zevalkink, Zachary M. Gibbs, Jean Pierre Fleurial, Sabah Bux, G. Jeffrey Snyder

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

The complex bonding environment of many ternary Zintl phases, which often results in low thermal conductivity, makes them strong contenders as thermoelectric materials. Here, we extend the investigation of A5In2Sb6 Zintl compounds with the Ca5Ga2As6 crystal structure to the only known rare-earth analogue: Eu5In2Sb6. Zn-doped samples with compositions of Eu5In2-xZnxSb6 (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2) were synthesized via ball milling followed by hot pressing. Eu5In2Sb6 showed significant improvements in air stability relative to its alkaline earth metal analogues. Eu5In2Sb6 exhibits semiconducting behavior with possible two band behavior suggested by increasing band mass as a function of Zn content, and two distinct transitions observed in optical absorption measurements (at 0.15 and 0.27 eV). The p-type Hall mobility of Eu5In2Sb6 was found to be much larger than that of the alkaline earth containing A5In2Sb6 phases (A = Sr, Ca) consistent with the reduced hole effective mass (1.1 me). Zn doping was successful in optimizing the carrier concentration, leading to a zT of up to 0.4 at ∼660 K, which is comparable to that of Zn-doped Sr5In2Sb6.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)10518-10524
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C
Volume3
Issue number40
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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