Thermoelectric Properties of the Co-doped n-type CoSb3 Compound

The co-doped n-type CoSb3 skutterudites were prepared by vacuum induction melting and spark plasma sintering, and their thermoelectric properties were examined. The temperature dependences of the thermoelectric properties, such as the electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient and the thermal conductivity, were evaluated at temperatures from 300 K to 800 K. Te (BⅥ-group) and Sn (BⅣ -group) with different valences were co-doped into intrinsic CoSb3, and co-doping effects on the solubility limit, charge compensation and decreasing thermal conductivity were discussed. As a result, the minimum thermal conductivity, 0.035 W/cmK, and the maximum dimensionless figure-of-merit (ZT), 0.65, were acquired for the Co4Sb11.0Te0.8Sn0.2 composition. Unfortunately,indium filling had a negative effect on this co-doped system. KCI Citation Count: 11