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Chain-Forming Zintl Antimonidcs as Novel Thermoelectric Materials

Citation

Zevalkink, Alexandra (2014) Chain-Forming Zintl Antimonidcs as Novel Thermoelectric Materials. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/YDSW-A554. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:10182013-151558126

Abstract

Zintl phases, a subset of intermetallic compounds characterized by covalently-bonded "sub-structures," surrounded by highly electropositive cations, exhibit precisely the characteristics desired for thermoelectric applications. The requirement that Zintl compounds satisfy the valence of anions through the formation of covalent substructures leads to many unique, complex crystal structures. Such complexity often leads to exceptionally low lattice thermal conductivity due to the containment of heat in low velocity optical modes in the phonon dispersion. To date, excellent thermoelectric properties have been demonstrated in several Zintl compounds. However, compared with the large number of known Zintl phases, very few have been investigated as thermoelectric materials.

From this pool of uninvestigated compounds, we selected a class of Zintl antimonides that share a common structural motif: anionic moieties resembling infinite chains of linked MSb4 tetrahedra, where $M$ is a triel element. The compounds discussed in this thesis (A5M2Sb6 and A3MSb3, where A = Ca or Sr and M = Al, Ga and In) crystallize as four distinct, but closely related "chain-forming" structure types. This thesis describes the thermoelectric characterization and optimization of these phases, and explores the influence of their chemistry and structure on the thermal and electronic transport properties. Due to their large unit cells, each compound exhibits exceptionally low lattice thermal conductivity (0.4 - 0.6 W/mK at 1000 K), approaching the predicted glassy minimum at high temperatures. A combination of Density Functional calculations and classical transport models were used to explain the experimentally observed electronic transport properties of each compound. Consistent with the Zintl electron counting formalism, A5M2Sb6 and A3MSb3 phases were found to have filled valence bands and exhibit intrinsic electronic properties. Doping with divalent transition metals (Zn2+ and Mn2+) on the M3+ site, or Na1+ on the A3+ site allowed for rational control of the carrier concentration and a transition towards degenerate semiconducting behavior. In optimally-doped samples, promising peak zT values between 0.4 and 0.9 were obtained, highlighting the value of continued investigations of complex Zintl phases.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:electronic transport, thermal conductivity, Thermoelectric, Zintl
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Materials Science
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Snyder, G. Jeffrey
Thesis Committee:
  • Haile, Sossina M. (chair)
  • Fultz, Brent T.
  • Greer, Julia R.
  • Snyder, G. Jeffrey
Defense Date:7 October 2013
Non-Caltech Author Email:alex.z.williams (AT) gmail.com
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
National Science FoundationGraduate Research Fellowship
Jet Propulsion LaboratoryUNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:10182013-151558126
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:10182013-151558126
DOI:10.7907/YDSW-A554
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C0EE00517GDOIArticle adapted for Ch. 5
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C2EE22378CDOIArticle adapted for Ch. 6
http:/dx.doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201300518DOIArticle adapted for Ch. 7
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:8000
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Alexandra Zevalkink
Deposited On:28 Apr 2014 20:54
Last Modified:24 Oct 2020 00:14

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