Galvanomagnetic and Thermoelectric Properties of R3Cu3Sb4 Compounds

Zintl phases recently received a great attention for their thermoelectric potential and interesting results were reported on Yb₁₄MnSb₁₁ compounds [Brown, et al., 2006]. In this paper, we present results obtained with other Zintl phases, Y_1.5Gd_1.5Cu₃Sb₄, Y₃ Cu₃Sb₄ and Gd₃Cu₃Sb ₄. They were synthesized in an induction furnace, followed by consequent annealing treatments. The crystallographic structure was checked by X-ray diffraction analysis. Resistivity and thermopower measurements were performed over a large temperature range going from 2 to 550 K. The low temperature thermal conductivity dependence of these materials was also determined between 10 to 300 K. Finally, the thermoelectric potential of these polycrystalline samples is discussed