Effect of Sb deficiency on the thermoelectric properties of Zn4Sb3

TL;DR

This study explores how Sb deficiency influences the thermoelectric performance of Zn4Sb3, revealing that creating vacancies enhances zT by increasing Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity while reducing thermal conductivity.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Sb vacancies improve thermoelectric properties of Zn4Sb3, suggesting a new approach for optimizing high-temperature thermoelectric materials.

Findings

Sb deficiency increases Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity at high temperatures.

Thermal conductivity decreases with Sb deficiency, boosting zT.

Vacancy creation is an effective route to enhance thermoelectric performance.

Abstract

We have investigated the effect of Sb-deficiency on the thermoelectric figure of merit (zT) of Zn4Sb3 prepared by solid state reaction route. At high temperatures, the Seebeck coefficient (S) and electrical conductivity ({\sigma}) increase with increase in Sb deficiency whereas the thermal conductivity (\k{appa}) decreases giving rise to an increase in the overall zT value. The observations suggest that creation of vacancies could be an effective route in improving the thermoelectric properties of Zn4Sb3 system. This coupled to nanostructuring strategy could lead to the ultimate maximum value of zT in this system for high temperature thermoelectric applications.