Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of Nd-single filled p-type skutterudites

We report the synthesis of Nd-filled and Fe substituted p-type Ndx Fe_(3.2)Co_(0.8)Fe_(3.2)Co_(0.8)Sb_(12)(x=0.5,0.6,0.7,0.8,and 0.9)skutterudites by the solid-state reaction method.The influences of Nd filler on the electrical and thermal transport prop-erties are investigated in a temperature range from room temperature to 850 K.A lowest lattice thermal conductivity of 0.88 W·m~(-1)·K~(-1)is obtained in Nd0.8Fe_(3.2)Co_(0.8)Fe_(3.2)Co_(0.8)Sb_(12)at 673 K,which results from the localized vibration modes of fillers and the increase of grains boundaries.Meanwhile,the maximum power factor is 2.77 m W·m~(-1)·K~(-2)for the Nd_(0.9)Fe_(3.2)Co_(0.8)Fe_(3.2)Co_(0.8)Sb_(12)sample at 668 K.Overall,the highest dimensionless figure of merit z T=0.87 is achieved at 714 Kfor Nd_(0.9)Fe_(3.2)Co_(0.8)Fe_(3.2)Co_(0.8)Sb_(12).