Solvothermal Synthesis, Structure and Optical Property of Nanosized CoSb 3 Skutterudite

Abstract

Binary skutterudite CoSb 3 nanoparticles were synthesized by solvothermal method. The nanostructuring of CoSb 3 material was achieved by the inclusion of various kinds of additives. X-ray diffraction examination indicated the formation of the cubic phase of CoSb 3. Structural analysis by transmission electron microscopy analysis further confirmed the formation of crystalline CoSb 3 nanoparticles with high purity. With the assistance of additives, CoSb 3 nanoparticles with size as small as 10 nm were obtained. The effect of the nanostructure of CoSb 3 on the UV-visible absorption and luminescence was studied. The nanosized CoSb 3 skutterudite may find application in developing thermoelectric devices with better efficiency. © 2010 The Author(s).