CoSb3-based mark mid-temperature skutterudites have been a benchthermoelectric material under intensive experimental and theoretical studies for decades. Doping and filling, to the first order, alter the crystal latti...CoSb3-based mark mid-temperature skutterudites have been a benchthermoelectric material under intensive experimental and theoretical studies for decades. Doping and filling, to the first order, alter the crystal lattice constant of CoSb3 in the context of ＂chemical pressure.＂ In this work, we employed ab initio density functional theory in conjunction with semiclassical Boltzmann transport theory to investigate the mechanical properties and especially how hydrostatic loadings, i.e., ＂physical pressure,＂ impact the electronic band structure, Seebeck coefficient, and power factor of pristine CoSb3. It is found that hydrostatic pressure enlarges the band gap, suppresses the density of states （DOS） near the valence band edge, and fosters the band convergence between the valley bands and the conduction band minimum （CBM）. By contrast, hydrostatic tensile reduces the band gap, increases the DOS near the valence band edge, and diminishes the valley bands near the CBM. Therefore, applying hydrostatic pressure provides an alternative avenue for achieving band convergence to improve thermoelectric properties of N-type CoSb3, which is further supported by our carrier concentration studies. These results provide valuable insight into the further improvement of thermoelectric performance of CoSb3-based skutterudites via a synergy of physical and chemical pressures.展开更多
Nanocomposite is proved to be an effective method to improve thermoelectric performance.In the present study,graphene is introduced into p-type skutterudite La0.8Ti0.1Ga0.1Fe3CoSb12 by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor d...Nanocomposite is proved to be an effective method to improve thermoelectric performance.In the present study,graphene is introduced into p-type skutterudite La0.8Ti0.1Ga0.1Fe3CoSb12 by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition（PECVD）method to form skutterudite/graphene nanocomposites.It is demonstrated that the graphene has no obvious effect on the electrical conductivity of La0.8Ti0.1Ga0.1Fe3CoSb12,but the Seebeck coefficient is slightly improved at high temperature,thereby leading to high power factor.Furthermore,due to the enhancement of phonon scattering by the graphene,the lattice thermal conductivity is reduced significantly.Ultimately,the maximum z T value of La0.8Ti0.1Ga0.1Fe3CoSb12/graphene is higher than that of graphene-free alloy and reaches to 1.0 at 723 K.Such an approach raised by us enriches prospects for future practical application.展开更多
Nanostructures with different morphologies could profoundly influence the electron and phonon transport in thermoelectric materials and thus their properties could be improved by tuning the nanostructures. The LaFe3Co...Nanostructures with different morphologies could profoundly influence the electron and phonon transport in thermoelectric materials and thus their properties could be improved by tuning the nanostructures. The LaFe3CoSbl2 skutterudite nano powders with different morphologies were fabricated via a hydro/solvo thermal route. The microstructures of the hot-pressed LaFe3CoSbl2 bulks were characterized through X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and the effects of the nanostructures on the thermoelectric properties were investigated by measuring the electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient and the thermal conductivity. The results suggested that the mixed morphology of nanorods and nanospheres could enhance the electrical conductivity largely although the Seebeck coefficient was decreased and the thermal conductivity was increased slightly. Differently, a higher Seebeck coefficient, a lower thermal conductivity and a lower electrical conductivity could be obtained for the LaFe3CoSb12 bulk with a single morphology of nanospheres. Consequently, the figure of merit of LaFe3CoSb12 bulk with a mixed morphology of nanorods and nanospheres could be increased by about 59% as compared to that with a single morphology of nanospheres.展开更多
Skutterudite CoAs3 is a potentially important thermoelectric material. Morse potential is employed here to carry out molecular dynamics simulations of nanobulk CoAs3 at the temperature of 0 K. The stress-strain relati...Skutterudite CoAs3 is a potentially important thermoelectric material. Morse potential is employed here to carry out molecular dynamics simulations of nanobulk CoAs3 at the temperature of 0 K. The stress-strain relationships under uniaxial tensile and/or compressive strain are obtained. The elastic modulus, extreme strength and deformation mechanism are studied. The simulation results indicate that nanobulk CoAs3 abruptly ruptures at much higher strain level under tension than conventional bulk CoAs3. Both the extreme stresses under tension and compression are much higher than those of conventional bulk CoAs3.展开更多
Nanostructured skutterudite-related compound Fe0.25Ni0.25Co0.5Sb3 was synthesized by a solvothermal method using FeCl3, NiCl2, CoCl2, and SbCl3 as the precursors and NaBH4 as the reductant. The solvothermally synthesi...Nanostructured skutterudite-related compound Fe0.25Ni0.25Co0.5Sb3 was synthesized by a solvothermal method using FeCl3, NiCl2, CoCl2, and SbCl3 as the precursors and NaBH4 as the reductant. The solvothermally synthesized powders consisted of fine granules with an average particle size of tens of nanometers. The bulk material was prepared by hot pressing the powders. Transport property measurements indicated a heavily doped semiconductor behavior with n-type conduction. The thermal conductivity is about 1.83 W·m-1·K-1 at room temperature and decreases to 1.57 W·m-1·K-1 at 673 K. The low thermal conductivity is attributed to small grain size and high porosity. A maximum dimensionless figure of merit of 0.15 is obtained at 673 K.展开更多
Polycrystalline samples of Sm partially filled skutterudites SmyFexCo4-xSb12 were prepared by melting and Spark Plasma Sintering technique. The results of Rietveld refinement showed that the obtained SmyFexCo4-xSb12 s...Polycrystalline samples of Sm partially filled skutterudites SmyFexCo4-xSb12 were prepared by melting and Spark Plasma Sintering technique. The results of Rietveld refinement showed that the obtained SmyFexCo4-xSb12 samples possessed filled skutterudite structures. The thermal parameter （B） of Sm is larger than that of Sb, Fe, and Co, indicating that Sm ＂rattled＂ in Sb-icosahedron voids. The effects of filling atom Sm on thermoelectric properties of these compounds were investigated. With the increase of Sm filling fraction （y）, electrical conductivity decreased, Seebeck coefficient increased and had a maximum value when y was 0.38; thermal conductivity reduced and had a minimum value when y was 0. 32. At 750 K, the highest figure of merit of 0.68 was obtained for Sm0.32Fe1.47Co2.53Sb12.展开更多
The great pressure of energy shortage has made CoSb_(3) materials with excellent mechanical stability in the mid-temperature region favored for the integration of thermoelectric devices.However,their ex-cessive lattic...The great pressure of energy shortage has made CoSb_(3) materials with excellent mechanical stability in the mid-temperature region favored for the integration of thermoelectric devices.However,their ex-cessive lattice thermal conductivity and poor Seebeck coefficient lead to low energy conversion effi-ciency.Filling Yb into the lattice void to optimize the band structure and regulate the chemical po-tential is an indispensable means for improving the thermoelectric properties of CoSb_(3)-based materials,while the phase structure and thermoelectric properties vary with the preparation process.This motivates the current work to focus on the influence of annealing temperature on the microstructure and thermoelectric properties of Yb-filled CoSb_(3).Experimental analysis and theoretical model eluci-dated that an increase in annealing temperature can optimize the Yb filling fraction,which simulta-neously manipulates the band structure as well as chemical potential,resulting in an excellent electrical property.Furthermore,the phase and microstructure characterization clarify that the annealing temperature can effectively affect the grain size.The complex grain boundary induced by grain refinement,more filled Yb atoms and precipitates strongly scatter wide-frequency phonons,significantly suppressing the lattice thermal conductivity.As a result,a superior dimensionless figure of merit(ZT)value of~1.33 at 823 K and an average ZTave of~0.9(323-823 K)were achieved in the Ybo.4Co4Sb12 sample annealed at 923 K,and the calculated conversion efficiency could reach~13%.This work pro-vides a unique paradigm to improve thermoelectrics in the filled CoSb_(3)-based skutterudites by annealing engineering.展开更多
Full-PotentiaJ Linearized Augmented Plane Wave plus locaJ orbital method （FPLAPW ＋10） calculations are performed for ThFe4P12 in the filled skutterudite in order to investigate the optical properties and to show th...Full-PotentiaJ Linearized Augmented Plane Wave plus locaJ orbital method （FPLAPW ＋10） calculations are performed for ThFe4P12 in the filled skutterudite in order to investigate the optical properties and to show the origin of the different optical transitions. It is found that the band gap is indirect for ThFe4P12. Then the contributions of the different transition peaks are analyzed from the imaginary part of the dielectric function. In contrast to recent experimental expectations, our calculations are in good agreement with experimental reflection spectra and ε1 （ω） spectrum.展开更多
基金supported by the Office of Science of the US Department of Energy (Nos. DEAC05-00OR22750 and DE-AC02-05-CH11231)the support of National Science Foundation (No. DMR-1307740)
文摘CoSb3-based mark mid-temperature skutterudites have been a benchthermoelectric material under intensive experimental and theoretical studies for decades. Doping and filling, to the first order, alter the crystal lattice constant of CoSb3 in the context of ＂chemical pressure.＂ In this work, we employed ab initio density functional theory in conjunction with semiclassical Boltzmann transport theory to investigate the mechanical properties and especially how hydrostatic loadings, i.e., ＂physical pressure,＂ impact the electronic band structure, Seebeck coefficient, and power factor of pristine CoSb3. It is found that hydrostatic pressure enlarges the band gap, suppresses the density of states （DOS） near the valence band edge, and fosters the band convergence between the valley bands and the conduction band minimum （CBM）. By contrast, hydrostatic tensile reduces the band gap, increases the DOS near the valence band edge, and diminishes the valley bands near the CBM. Therefore, applying hydrostatic pressure provides an alternative avenue for achieving band convergence to improve thermoelectric properties of N-type CoSb3, which is further supported by our carrier concentration studies. These results provide valuable insight into the further improvement of thermoelectric performance of CoSb3-based skutterudites via a synergy of physical and chemical pressures.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51622101,51771065,and 51471061)
文摘Nanocomposite is proved to be an effective method to improve thermoelectric performance.In the present study,graphene is introduced into p-type skutterudite La0.8Ti0.1Ga0.1Fe3CoSb12 by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition（PECVD）method to form skutterudite/graphene nanocomposites.It is demonstrated that the graphene has no obvious effect on the electrical conductivity of La0.8Ti0.1Ga0.1Fe3CoSb12,but the Seebeck coefficient is slightly improved at high temperature,thereby leading to high power factor.Furthermore,due to the enhancement of phonon scattering by the graphene,the lattice thermal conductivity is reduced significantly.Ultimately,the maximum z T value of La0.8Ti0.1Ga0.1Fe3CoSb12/graphene is higher than that of graphene-free alloy and reaches to 1.0 at 723 K.Such an approach raised by us enriches prospects for future practical application.
基金supported by Henan University of Technology (09XJC020)
文摘Nanostructures with different morphologies could profoundly influence the electron and phonon transport in thermoelectric materials and thus their properties could be improved by tuning the nanostructures. The LaFe3CoSbl2 skutterudite nano powders with different morphologies were fabricated via a hydro/solvo thermal route. The microstructures of the hot-pressed LaFe3CoSbl2 bulks were characterized through X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and the effects of the nanostructures on the thermoelectric properties were investigated by measuring the electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient and the thermal conductivity. The results suggested that the mixed morphology of nanorods and nanospheres could enhance the electrical conductivity largely although the Seebeck coefficient was decreased and the thermal conductivity was increased slightly. Differently, a higher Seebeck coefficient, a lower thermal conductivity and a lower electrical conductivity could be obtained for the LaFe3CoSb12 bulk with a single morphology of nanospheres. Consequently, the figure of merit of LaFe3CoSb12 bulk with a mixed morphology of nanorods and nanospheres could be increased by about 59% as compared to that with a single morphology of nanospheres.
基金Funded by 973 Program(No.2007CB607506)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.10672127)the Ministryof Education of China(No.NCET-04-0725)
文摘Skutterudite CoAs3 is a potentially important thermoelectric material. Morse potential is employed here to carry out molecular dynamics simulations of nanobulk CoAs3 at the temperature of 0 K. The stress-strain relationships under uniaxial tensile and/or compressive strain are obtained. The elastic modulus, extreme strength and deformation mechanism are studied. The simulation results indicate that nanobulk CoAs3 abruptly ruptures at much higher strain level under tension than conventional bulk CoAs3. Both the extreme stresses under tension and compression are much higher than those of conventional bulk CoAs3.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2007CB607502)the Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50731006)
文摘Nanostructured skutterudite-related compound Fe0.25Ni0.25Co0.5Sb3 was synthesized by a solvothermal method using FeCl3, NiCl2, CoCl2, and SbCl3 as the precursors and NaBH4 as the reductant. The solvothermally synthesized powders consisted of fine granules with an average particle size of tens of nanometers. The bulk material was prepared by hot pressing the powders. Transport property measurements indicated a heavily doped semiconductor behavior with n-type conduction. The thermal conductivity is about 1.83 W·m-1·K-1 at room temperature and decreases to 1.57 W·m-1·K-1 at 673 K. The low thermal conductivity is attributed to small grain size and high porosity. A maximum dimensionless figure of merit of 0.15 is obtained at 673 K.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (50372049)the Major International Cooperation Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (50310353)
文摘Polycrystalline samples of Sm partially filled skutterudites SmyFexCo4-xSb12 were prepared by melting and Spark Plasma Sintering technique. The results of Rietveld refinement showed that the obtained SmyFexCo4-xSb12 samples possessed filled skutterudite structures. The thermal parameter （B） of Sm is larger than that of Sb, Fe, and Co, indicating that Sm ＂rattled＂ in Sb-icosahedron voids. The effects of filling atom Sm on thermoelectric properties of these compounds were investigated. With the increase of Sm filling fraction （y）, electrical conductivity decreased, Seebeck coefficient increased and had a maximum value when y was 0.38; thermal conductivity reduced and had a minimum value when y was 0. 32. At 750 K, the highest figure of merit of 0.68 was obtained for Sm0.32Fe1.47Co2.53Sb12.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant Nos.2018YFA0702100 and 2022YFB3803900)the Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)’Large-Scale Scientific Facility (Grant No.U1932106)the Sichuan University Innovation Research Pro-gram of China (Grant No.2020SCUNL112).
文摘The great pressure of energy shortage has made CoSb_(3) materials with excellent mechanical stability in the mid-temperature region favored for the integration of thermoelectric devices.However,their ex-cessive lattice thermal conductivity and poor Seebeck coefficient lead to low energy conversion effi-ciency.Filling Yb into the lattice void to optimize the band structure and regulate the chemical po-tential is an indispensable means for improving the thermoelectric properties of CoSb_(3)-based materials,while the phase structure and thermoelectric properties vary with the preparation process.This motivates the current work to focus on the influence of annealing temperature on the microstructure and thermoelectric properties of Yb-filled CoSb_(3).Experimental analysis and theoretical model eluci-dated that an increase in annealing temperature can optimize the Yb filling fraction,which simulta-neously manipulates the band structure as well as chemical potential,resulting in an excellent electrical property.Furthermore,the phase and microstructure characterization clarify that the annealing temperature can effectively affect the grain size.The complex grain boundary induced by grain refinement,more filled Yb atoms and precipitates strongly scatter wide-frequency phonons,significantly suppressing the lattice thermal conductivity.As a result,a superior dimensionless figure of merit(ZT)value of~1.33 at 823 K and an average ZTave of~0.9(323-823 K)were achieved in the Ybo.4Co4Sb12 sample annealed at 923 K,and the calculated conversion efficiency could reach~13%.This work pro-vides a unique paradigm to improve thermoelectrics in the filled CoSb_(3)-based skutterudites by annealing engineering.
基金The project supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province under Grant No.2003ABA004
文摘Full-PotentiaJ Linearized Augmented Plane Wave plus locaJ orbital method （FPLAPW ＋10） calculations are performed for ThFe4P12 in the filled skutterudite in order to investigate the optical properties and to show the origin of the different optical transitions. It is found that the band gap is indirect for ThFe4P12. Then the contributions of the different transition peaks are analyzed from the imaginary part of the dielectric function. In contrast to recent experimental expectations, our calculations are in good agreement with experimental reflection spectra and ε1 （ω） spectrum.
