The Zintl phase, Yb14MnSb11, has a high thermoelectric efficiency at high temperature, evaluated by the thermoelectric figure of merit, zT. In previous studies, Yb14MnSb11 has been doped with Ca so that the density of material decreases and the high thermoelectric figure of merit is retained. Bi doping of Yb10Ca4MnSb11 in the Ca cation sites should decrease the charge carrier concentration while increasing mobility; which is expected to result in a material with a higher zT.  Large single crystals were synthesized via Sn-Flux for Yb10Ca4-xBixMnSb11 (x=0.2,0.4,0.6,0.8,1.0). On stoichiometry powder samples were also synthesized with the same relative amounts. Microprobe analysis showed a small amount of Bi was doped into the single crystals. Microprobe analysis for the powder synthesis route showed inhomogeneous amounts of Bi. Powder samples were pressed into condensed pellets by Spark Plasma Sintering. Electrical resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient were measured on a powder sample Yb10Ca3.6Bi0.4MnSb11.  The structure and properties will be presented.

Synthesis and properties of Yb10Ca4-xBixMnSb11

247th National Meeting (2014)

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