Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of skutterudite-type compounds filled with group 14 elements

Abstract

A number of investigations have been reported on the synthesis and the thermoelectric properties of filled-skutterudite compounds. We reported previously that thermal conductivity was drastically reduced by group 14 elements filling. It was suggested that the optimization of carrier concentration in these compounds would result in improved thermoelectric performances. In the present study, tin-filled skutterudites doped with Fe have been synthesized under high pressure and temperature. We report some results on structural analysis, electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements.