Tuning of the electronic and phononic properties of NbFeSb half-Heusler compound by Sn/Hf co-doping

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • M. A.A. Mohamed - , Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • E. M.M. Ibrahim - , Sohag University (Author)
  • N. P. Rodriguez - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • S. Hampel - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • B. Büchner - , Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • G. Schierning - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • K. Nielsch - , Chair of Metallic Materials and Metal Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • R. He - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)

Abstract

Pure phase NbFeSb1-xSnx (where x = 0, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12, 0.16) half-Heusler samples were prepared by direct mechanical alloying followed by spark plasma sintering. The results showed that the substitution of Sb by Sn can effectively enhance the peak figure of merit (ZT) to 0.55 at 923 K in NbFeSb0.88Sn0.12 through optimized carrier concentration. To further reduce the lattice thermal conductivity (κL), we substituted Nb by Hf to enhance the point defect scattering of phonon transport. A maximum reduction of ~80% in κL was observed in Nb0.8Hf0.2FeSb0.88Sn0.12 when compared to undoped NbFeSb at 573 K. We realized a minimum κL of ~2.96 W m−1 K−1 at 673 K and a peak ZT of ~0.82 at 973 K for Nb0.88Hf0.12FeSb0.88Sn0.12.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)669-676
Number of pages8
JournalActa materialia
Volume196
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2020
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • NbFeSb, Phononic, Sn/Hf co-doping, Thermoelectric