YbAl3 has the highest reported thermoelectric power factor at room temperature of ~ 180 �W/K2cm but has a relatively low figure of merit due do its high thermal conductivity.  In this work Ga and In are substituted onto the Al site of YbAl3 in an effort to lower the lattice thermal conductivity while preserving the desirable thermoelectric transport characteristics.  This is accomplished through enhanced phonon scattering due to atomic mass fluctuations from the substitution of isovalent elements. We report the growth of Yb(In,Ga,Al)3 single crystals from an Al self-flux.  Growth parameters for synthesis are provided, and the results of electrical and thermal transport measurements are presented.

Decreasing the thermal conductivity of the thermoelectric candidate YbAl<sub>3</sub> through substitution of isovalent elements

245th National Meeting (2013)

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Decreasing the thermal conductivity of the thermoelectric candidate YbAl3 through substitution of isovalent elements

Decreasing the thermal conductivity of the thermoelectric candidate YbAl₃ through substitution of isovalent elements