Thermoelectric properties of Eu(Zn(1-x)Cd(x))2Sb2

The thermoelectric performance of EuZn(2)Sb(2) and EuCd(2)Sb(2) was optimized by mixed occupation of the transition metal position. Samples in the solid solution Eu(Zn(1-x)Cd(x))(2)Sb(2) with the CaAl(2)Si(2)-type crystal structure (space group Pm1) were prepared from the elements for compositions with x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1. The thermoelectric properties were investigated after densification of the products by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The samples show low electrical resistivity, high thermopower and a low lattice thermoconductivity. The highest ZT value of 1.06 at 650 K is obtained for x = 0.1.