Effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the thermoelectric properties of p-type Ba0.3FeCo3Sb12 compounds

Abstract

The p_type Ba_filled Ba0.3FeCo3Sb１2 skutterudite compounds were synthesized using a two_step solid_state reaction method, and the Ba0.3FeCo3 Sb１2/multiwalle carbon nanotubes composites were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The structure of Ba0.3FeCo3Sb１2/multi walled carbon nanotube composites and effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the thermoelectric properties of p_type Ba0.3FeCo3Sb１2 compounds w ere investigated. The dispersed distribution of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the Ba0.3Fe Co3Sb１2 compounds was observed by SEM. With increasing content of multiwal led carbon nanotubes, the electrical conductivity of the Ba0.3FeCo 3Sb１2 compounds decreased, Seebeck coefficient reduced slightly and the lattice thermal conductivity decreased significantly. The minimum of lattice thermal conductivity was obtained when the content of carbon nanotubes was 5%. When the content of carbon nanotubes was 3%, the maximal ZT value of 078 was obtained for Ba0.3FeCo3Sb１2/multiwalled carbon nanot ube composites at 850K.