| Abstract: | The synthesis of filled skutterudite compounds (Ce or Y)_y(Fe)_x(Co)_(4x)(Sb)_(12), through a solidstate reaction using chloride of Ce or Y,high purity powder of Co, Fe, and Sb as starting materials,was investigated. (Ce or Y)_y(Fe)_x(Co)_(4x)(Sb)_(12) (x=0--1.0, y=0--0.15) compounds were obtained at850--1 123 K. The results of Rietveld analysis demonstrate that (Ce or Y)_y(Fe)_x(Co)_(4x)(Sb)_12synthesized by a solid state reaction possesses a filled skutterudite structure. The filling fraction ofCe or Y obtained by Rietveld analysis agrees well with the composition obtained by chemicalanalysis. The lattice constant of (Ce)_y(Fe)_x(Co)_(4x)(Sb)_(12) increases with increasing substitution of Fe at Cosites, and with an increasing Ce filling fraction in the Sb-dodecahedron voids. The lattice thermalconductivity of (Ce or Y)_y(Fe)_x(Co)_(4x)(Sb)_(12) decreases significantly with an increasing Ce or Y fillingfraction in the voids and with substitution of Fe at Co sites. |
