An enhanced power factor via multilayer growth of Ag-doped skutterudite CoSb3 thin films. Issue 6 (26th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Zhuang-Hao; Wei, Meng; Luo, Jing-Ting; Li, Fu; Liang, Guang-Xing; Liang, Yan; Hao, Jin; Ma, Hong-Li; Zhang, Xiang-Hua; Fan, Ping
• Is Part Of: Inorganic chemistry frontiers. Volume 5:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 1409
• Page End: 1414
• Publication Date: 2018-04-26
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/c8qi00207j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-1553

Abstract

Abstract : The Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of the CoSb3 thin films are enhanced after Ag doping, leading to substantial enhancement of the power factor. Abstract : Skutterudite CoSb3 has emerged as one of the most studied candidate materials for thermoelectric applications. In this work, the multilayer inter-diffusion method for depositing Ag-doped CoSb3 thin films was used to improve its thermoelectric property. A microstructure study demonstrates that Ag enters into the lattice. By using first-principles calculations, it can be concluded that the Ag atoms will preferentially occupy the lattice voids, rather than substitute Sb or Co rings, leading to better thermoelectric performance. As expected, the increase of both Seebeck coefficient and electric conductivity is obtained after Ag doping through the multilayer diffusion method, indicating that this approach can resolve the conflict between these often-contractive thermoelectric factors. Due to this efficient combined action, the power factor has substantially been enhanced and the maximum value reaches 0.11 mW m −1 K −2 at 573 K, which is five times higher than that of the un-doped sample.