Abstract
The skutterudites YbxFe2Ni2Sb12 (0 <= x <= 0.4) have been prepared by solid-state reaction and characterised by powder X-ray diffraction. The compounds crystallise in the cubic space group Im (3) over bar (a approximate to 9.1 angstrom) with Yb atoms partially filling the voids in the skutterudite framework. A neutron time-of-flight diffraction experiment for Fe2Ni2Sb12 confirms the disorder of Fe and Ni atoms on the transition-metal site. Electrical resistivity, Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity measurements indicate that the thermoelectric performance of the skutterudites shows a marked dependence on the Yb content. Magnetic measurements over the temperature range 2 <= T/K <= 300 show paramagnetic behaviour for all compounds. Decomposition studies under an oxidising atmosphere at elevated temperatures have also been carried out by thermogravimetric analysis.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 36-41 |
Journal | Journal of Solid State Chemistry |
Volume | 193 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2012 |