Thermoelectric Properties of FeSb2Te Based Ternary Skutterudites with Mo Nanoinclusions

Abstract Polycrystalline samples of FeSb 2 Te ternary skutterudite based compounds were prepared by the powder metallurgy method. The influence of additions of Mo nanoparticles into host-matrix compound (FeSb 2 Te) was investigated. Wet blending route (ultrasonication/rotavapor) was used to obtain homogeneous dispersion of the host-matrix compound with Mo nanoparticles. The nanocomposite powders FeSb 2 Te+ x vol.% Mo ( x =0, 2, 4, 6) were hot-pressed for 1hr at 500°C/70 MPa. The prepared p-type samples were characterized by measurements of their electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity. SEM and EDX results revealed Mo nanoparticles mainly inside of intergrain space of the host-matrix material. Strikingly, Mo does not react with the matrix material. The presence of the Mo nanoparticles in the intergrain space appears to reduce phonon mean free path resulting in a reduction of the thermal conductivity of the studied nanocomposite materials. The extra scattering of phonons on the embedded Mo nanoparticles is responsible for about 20% increase of ZT at some of the nanocomposite samples