Thermoelectric properties of A0.05Mo3Sb5.4Te1.6 (A=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni)

Mo 3 Sb 7− x Te x was earlier reported to be a promising p -type thermoelectric material for high temperature applications, with Ni 0.06 Mo 3 Sb 5.4 Te 1.6 achieving a ZT of 0.93 at 1023 K. In order to investigate the effect of using different transition metal atoms and to further improve the thermoelectric properties, a variety of transition metal atoms (Mn, Fe, Co and Ni) were intercalated into the voids of empty Sb atom cubes. Our results indicate that Fe 0.05 Mo 3 Sb 5.4 Te 1.6 and Ni 0.05 Mo 3 Sb 5.4 Te 1.6 exhibit a higher power factor than Mo 3 Sb 5.4 Te 1.6 . Fe 0.05 Mo 3 Sb 5.4 Te 1.6 demonstrates the highest ZT value at 673 K ( ZT = 0.31), significantly higher than Mo 3 Sb 5.4 Te 1.6 . Thermal analysis proves Ni 0.05 Mo 3 Sb 5.4 Te 1.6 to be phase stable at least until 1250 K in an inert atmosphere, an important prerequisite for high temperature applications.