High-resolution nanostructural investigation of Zn4Sb 3 alloys

Zinc antimonides exhibit high thermoelectric figures of merit and bear great potential for power generation. To advance the understanding of the structure-property relationship in these alloys, the microstructure of a nanocrystalline Zn4Sb3 alloy, containing 57.29 at.% Zn, was investigated by scanni...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gault, B., Marquis, E., Saxey, David, Hughes, G., Mangelinck, D., Toberer, E., Snyder, G.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Elsevier 2010
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/47445
Description
Summary:Zinc antimonides exhibit high thermoelectric figures of merit and bear great potential for power generation. To advance the understanding of the structure-property relationship in these alloys, the microstructure of a nanocrystalline Zn4Sb3 alloy, containing 57.29 at.% Zn, was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and atom probe tomography. Chemical inhomogeneities were observed at grain boundaries. Within the grains the distribution of Zn shows large fluctuations inducing a complex microstructure made of Zn-rich and Sb-rich regions at a nanometer scale. © 2010 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.