Zintl phases for thermoelectric applications
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsG. Jeffrey Snyder, Eric Toberer, Alex Zevalkink
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Abstract
The inventors demonstrate herein that various Zintl compounds can be useful as thermoelectric materials for a variety of applications. Specifically, the utility of Ca3AlSb3, Ca5Al2Sb6, Ca5In2Sb6, Ca5Ga2Sb6, is described herein. Carrier concentration control via doping has also been demonstrated, resulting in considerably improved thermoelectric performance in the various systems described herein.
Claims6
A Zintl compound of the formula A5B2C6, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of:
- Ca, Sr, and Ba;
- B is selected from the group consisting of:
- Al, In, Ga, and Sn;
- and C is selected from the group consisting of:
- P, As, Sb, and Bi, and wherein the compound has a carrier concentration adapted to be controlled by substituting either Na or K on the A site.
A Zintl compound of the formula A5B2C6, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of:
- Ca, Sr, and Ba;
- B is selected from the group consisting of:
- Al, In, Ga, and Sn;
- and C is selected from the group consisting of:
- P, As, Sb, and Bi, and wherein the compound has a carrier concentration adapted to be controlled by substituting either Mn or Zn on the B site.
A Zintl compound of the formula A5B2C6, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of:
- Ca, Sr, and Ba;
- B is selected from the group consisting of:
- Al, In, Ga, and Sn;
- and C is selected from the group consisting of:
- P, As, Sb, and Bi, and wherein the compound has a carrier concentration adapted to be controlled by substituting either Sn or Ge on the C site.
A Zintl compound of the formula A3BC3, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of:
- Ca, Sr, and Ba;
- B is selected from the group consisting of:
- Al, In, Ga, and Sn;
- and C is selected from the group consisting of:
- P, As, Sb, and Bi, and wherein the compound has a carrier concentration adapted to be controlled by substituting an element selected from either Na or K on the A site.
A Zintl compound of the formula A3BC3, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of:
- Ca, Sr, and Ba;
- B is selected from the group consisting of:
- Al, In, Ga, and Sn;
- and C is selected from the group consisting of:
- P, As, Sb, and Bi, and wherein the compound has a carrier concentration adapted to be controlled by substituting an element selected from either Mn or Zn on the B site.
A Zintl compound of the formula A3BC3, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of:
- Ca, Sr, and Ba;
- B is selected from the group consisting of:
- Al, In, Ga, and Sn;
- and C is selected from the group consisting of:
- P, As, Sb, and Bi, and wherein the compound has a carrier concentration adapted to be controlled by substituting an element selected from either Sn or Ge on the C site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.