Thermopower of Ce1−xLaxCu4Al intermetallic compounds

The thermopower (S) of Ce1−xLaxCu4Al (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) compounds is presented. Over the studied temperature range, it is found that the thermopower is positive and shows a maximum except for pure LaCu4Al. A large positive peak in S(T) dependence is attributed to an interplay between a Kondo scattering and the crystal field. The maximum of thermopower shifts slightly from 27 K to 25 K upon La concentration. Due to the larger ionic radius of the La compared to the Ce ion the lattice is expanded for increasing x. Such expansion weakens the hybridization of the f moments with the conduction electrons and thus lowers the Kondo temperature. Based on band model the position and width of the 4f peak nearest to the Fermi level have been estimated.