Thermoelectric properties of CeFe3CoSb12-MoO 2 composite

Abstract

We have prepared the CeFe3CoSb12-MoO2 composite by mechanical milling and spark plasma sintering techniques. The Seebeck coefficient of CeFe3CoSb12 is somewhat reduced by the addition of MoO2. The electrical resistivity of the CeFe 3CoSb12-MoO2 composite is smaller than that of CeFe3CoSb12 regardless of being mechanically milled. The thermal conductivity of the CeFe3CoSb12-MoO2 composite is generally smaller than that of CeFe3CoSb12. The addition of MoO2 to CeFe3CoSb12 is effective for the reduction of both the electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity. The composite whose molar ratio of CeFe3CoSb 12 to MoO2 is 0.95 : 0.05 and milling time is 5 h shows a maximum dimensionless figure of merit ZT of 1.22 at 773 K, which is larger than ZT of CeFe3CoSb12. © 2008 The Thermoelectrics Society of Japan.