Structural features and electrical conductivity of the GaSb-FeGa1.3 and GaSb-CoGa1.3 eutectic composites

Abstract

The thermography, XRD, and microstructural study of the electrical properties of the GaSb-FeGa1.3 and GaSb-CoGa1.3 eutectic composites at the temperature range of 80-450K have been performed. The thermodynamic parameters have been determined by thermography. The analysis of the XRD spectra showed that no structural change occurs with temperature. The microstructure and elemental compositions of the matrix, metallic inclusions, and interphase zone have been determined by scanning electron microscope and EDX, respectively. It has been shown that the presence of metal inclusions leads to the anisotropy of electrical conductivity and Hall effect. The calculation of the total electrical conductivity of composites, which was carried out in the framework of the effective media theory, reveals that the role of the interphase zone is an essential factor in the short-circuiting action by inclusions leading to the anisotropy of electrical parameters.