Balancing the anionic framework polarity for enhanced thermoelectric performance in YbMg2Sb2 Zintl compounds

Zongwei Zhang; Xinyu Wang; Yijie Liu; Chen Chen; Honghao Yao; Li Yin; Xiaofang Li; Shan Li; Fan Zhang; Fengxian Bai; Jiehe Sui; Bo Yu; Feng Cao; Xingjun Liu; Jun Mao; Guoqiang Xie; Qian Zhang

Journal of Materiomics (Dec 2019)

Balancing the anionic framework polarity for enhanced thermoelectric performance in YbMg2Sb2 Zintl compounds

Zongwei Zhang,
Xinyu Wang,
Yijie Liu,
Chen Chen,
Honghao Yao,
Li Yin,
Xiaofang Li,
Shan Li,
Fan Zhang,
Fengxian Bai,
Jiehe Sui,
Bo Yu,
Feng Cao,
Xingjun Liu,
Jun Mao,
Guoqiang Xie,
Qian Zhang

Affiliations

Zongwei Zhang: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Xinyu Wang: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Yijie Liu: School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Chen Chen: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Honghao Yao: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Li Yin: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Xiaofang Li: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Shan Li: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Fan Zhang: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Fengxian Bai: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Jiehe Sui: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Welding and Joining, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
Bo Yu: Ningbo Fengcheng Advanced Energy Materials Research Institute, Fenghua District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315500, China
Feng Cao: School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Xingjun Liu: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China; State Key Laboratory of Advanced Welding and Joining, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
Jun Mao: Department of Physics and TcSUH, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA; Corresponding author.
Guoqiang Xie: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Corresponding author.
Qian Zhang: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Materials Genome & Big Data, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 5, no. 4
pp. 583 – 589

Abstract

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1-2-2-type Zintl phase compound has aroused great interest for potential thermoelectric applications. However, YbMg2Sb2 is seldom studied due to the very low electrical conductivity resulting from the large difference in the electronegativity between Mg and Sb. In this paper, we adjust the covalently bonded network of MgSb by replacing part of the Mg with Zn which has the electronegativity closer to that of Sb. The decreased polarity in the anionic framework offers more free distance for electrons for the enhanced Hall mobility and electrical conductivity. Together with the increased point defect and the decreased lattice thermal conductivity by introduction of Zn, the maximum ZT value of ∼0.8 at 773 K is achieved in YbMg0.9Zn1.1Sb2 which is ∼100% enhancement compared with that of YbMg2Sb2. Keywords: Thermoelectric, Zintl phase, YbMg2Sb2, Polarity, Electronegativity

Published in Journal of Materiomics

ISSN: 2352-8478 (Print); 2352-8486 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-materiomics

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