ICT2014 Abstracts

Many CoSb₃-based skutterudite materials with a high thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) have been reported. Recently, high performance of ZT>1.3 was achieved through the double or triple filling in the void of n-type skutterudites. However, the p-type skutterudites having ZT>1 are difficult to obtain. Therefore, good and reliable p-type skutterudites are required for applications to thermoelectric modules. In this study, R_zFe_4-xT_xSb₁₂ systems were examined for p-type skutterudites. La and Yb were used as double fillers, and Co was employed for charge compensation (T). La_1-zYb_zFe_4-zCo_xSb₁₂ skutterudites were synthesized and thermoelectric properties were evaluated.