Low-temperature structural transitions in the phonon-glass thermoelectric material β-Zn4Sb3: Ordering of Zn interstitials and defects

Johanna Nylén, Sven Lidin, Magnus Andersson, Bo Brummerstedt Iversen, Hongxue Liu, Nathan Newman, Ulrich Häussermann

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

88 Scopus citations

Abstract

The low-temperature phase transitions of thermoelectric Zr 4Sb3 have been characterized using singlecrystal X-ray diffraction, electrical resistance, and thermal conductivity measurements. Room-temperature stable, disordered β-Zn4Sb3 undergoes a phase transition at 254 K to ordered α-n4Sb 3, which has an ideal composition Zn4Sb10. Below 235 K, a second low-temperature phase (α′-Zn 4Sb3) can be detected. The sequence of phase transitions β-α-α′ is reversible. The α-α′ transformation originates from a slight Zn deficiency with respect to Zn 13Sb10Sb10. The actual composition of n 4Sb3 is Zn13-δSb10.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)834-838
Number of pages5
JournalChemistry of Materials
Volume19
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 20 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Materials Chemistry

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