Synthesis and Thermoelectric Property Elucidation of Mechanically Alloyed and Vacuum Hot Pressed Single-Phase AlSb

AlSb is a line compound and the synthesis of single phase bulk AlSb has always proven to be a significant challenge. Synthesis of bulk single phase AlSb by powder metallurgy has not yet been reported. This work shows a novel synthetic route for successful production of single phase bulk AlSb using mechanical alloying and vacuum hot pressing. Thermoelectric properties of the semiconductor were measured and reported for the first time using powder metallurgy process. The intrinsic semiconductor showed a moderate Seebeck coefficient and a high thermal conductivity, consequently a low thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT). The thermoelectric figure of merit was also calculated and is shown in this study.