Thermoelectric Properties of Heavy Fermion Compound Ce3Co4Sn13.

The heavy fermion compound Ce3Co4Sn13 was studied in terms of its thermoelectric properties. To enhance its figure of merit we milled the solid sample and then pressed to obtain a consistent granulated material. The main properties, such as the Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity and electronic resistivity were measured at low (< 300 K) temperatures for both, the solid and the granulated sample. Thermal conductivity was diminished and the Seebeck coefficient was slightly enhanced, while the resistivity of produced material was increased. We explain it by strong electron scattering on defects and grain boundaries present in the sample. The resulting figure of merit ZT was found to be enhanced almost across the whole measured T region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]