Thermoelectric and structural properties of Zn4Sb3 under hydrostatic pressure

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 421; no. 1-2; pp. 232 - 235
• Main Authors: DO THI KIM ANH, TANAKA, Tetsushi, NAKAMOTO, Go, KURISU, Makio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier 14.09.2006
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Conductivity phenomena in semiconductors and insulators; Electronic transport in condensed matter; Exact sciences and technology; Physics; Thermoelectric and thermomagnetic effects; Electrical conductivity; Pressure effects; Phase transformations; Antimony alloys; 72.20; Structural phase transition; Zinc alloys; Pressure effect; Thermopower; Thermoelectric power; Electrical resistivity; Thermal hysteresis; Hydrostatic pressure; Zn4Sb3
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2005.11.012

The effect of hydrostatic pressure has been investigated on the thermoelectric properties of Zn4Sb3 compound prepared by a gradient freeze method. The electrical conductivity both in beta- and alpha- phases is largely enhanced with pressure: the relative change is 23.3%/GPa at 297 K. On the other hand, the thermopower at 297K is decreased largely with pressure at 16.0 muVK-1 GPa(-1): the relative change is - 13.6%/GPa. The almost pressure independent power factor is discussed based on a single band model. The resistivity behavior around the (3- to a-phase structural phase transition T(s)(258 K) is drastically changed with pressure. The thermal hysteresis width is narrowed in p(T). The T(s) is decreased at a rate of -26.2K/GPa.