COMPARISON OF THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF ARC-MELTED AND HOT-PRESSED HALF-HEUSLERS

Author

Brad Edwards, Clemson UniversityFollow

Date of Award

8-2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Legacy Department

Physics

Committee Chair/Advisor

Tritt, Terry

Committee Member

Marinescu , Catalina

Committee Member

Rao , Apparo

Abstract

Relatively low thermal conductivity and great electrical properties in combination with wide tuning parameters through doping make half-Heuslers high potential thermoelectric materials. In this study we plan to investigate the effects of hot-pressing and arc-melting on the thermoelectric properties of ZrNiSn_0.975Sb_0.025, and Hf_0.75Zr_0.25NiSn_0.975Sb_0.025 samples. Also, the effects of electron and phonon scattering due to the insertion of small 50 nm particles within the sample were investigated in ZrNiSn_0.975Sb_0.025 +4% Al₂O₃ and Hf_0.75Zr_0.25NiSn_0.975Sb_0.025 +4% Al₂O₃. The Thermopower, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity data from 20K-950K will be presented for each sample.

Recommended Citation

Edwards, Brad, "COMPARISON OF THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF ARC-MELTED AND HOT-PRESSED HALF-HEUSLERS" (2007). All Theses. 203.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/203