Dopant-segregation to grain boundaries controls electrical conductivity of n-type NbCo(Pt)Sn half-Heusler alloy mediating thermoelectric performance
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Science-driven design of future thermoelectric materials requires a deep understanding of the fundamental relationships between microstructure and transport properties. Grain boundaries in polycrystalline materials influence the thermoelectric performance through the scattering of phonons or the trapping of electrons due to space-charge effects. Yet, the current lack of careful investigations on grain boundary-associated features hinders further optimization of properties. Here, we study n-type NbCo1-xPtxSn half-Heusler alloys, which were synthesized by ball milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Post-SPS annealing was performed on one sample, leading to improved low-temperature electrical conductivity. The microstructure of both samples was examined by electron microscopy and atom probe tomography. The grain size increases from ~230 nm to ~2.38 μm upon annealing. Pt is found within grains and at grain boundaries, where it locally reduces the resistivity, as assessed by in situ four-point-probe electrical conductivity measurement. Our work showcases the correlation between microstructure and electrical conductivity, providing opportunities for future microstructural optimization by tuning the chemical composition at grain boundaries.
Date Issued
2021-07-22
Date Acceptance
2021-06-29
Citation
Acta Materialia, 2021, 217, pp.1-8
ISSN
1359-6454
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
1
End Page
8
Journal / Book Title
Acta Materialia
Volume
217
Copyright Statement
© 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.
This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000691327100004&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=a2bf6146997ec60c407a63945d4e92bb
Subjects
CHARGE-TRANSPORT
DESIGN
Grain boundary resistivity
Grain boundary segregation
Half-Heusler
Materials Science
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
NbCoSn
POWER
P-TYPE
Science & Technology
Technology
Thermoelectric
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 117147
Date Publish Online
2021-07-04