Fast Direct Synthesis and Compaction of Homogenous Phase-Pure Thermoelectric Zn4Sb3

• DOI: 10.1021/am502089a
• Publication Date: 2014-06-06T15:31:29Z
• Authors: Hao Yin; Anders Bank Blich...; Mogens Christensen; Bo Brummerstedt I...
• Keywords: Spark Plasma Sintering

Zn4Sb3 is among the cheapest high performance thermoelectric materials, and it made of relatively nontoxic elements. Strong activities are aimed at developing commercial power generation modules based on making vital to develop fast reliable synthesis processes for high-quality material. Here direct compaction homogeneous phase-pure by spark plasma sintering (SPS) has been developed. Compared with traditional quench press method, complexity process time new method very significantly reduced (order magnitude), large-scale production feasible. A composition gradient observed in pellet along axis applied pressure current. The homogeneity pressed pellets studied as a function SPS parameters: time, current, temperature pressure, mechanism behind formation discussed. key finding that pure can be produced adding an extra layer elemental Zn foil compensate migration.