The Highly Disordered Zintl Phase Ca$_{10}$GdCdSb$_9$ -- New Example of a p-type Semiconductor with Remarkable Thermoelectric Properties

Abstract

Ca$_{10}$GdCdSb$_9$ is a new Zintl phase with a large unit cell volume (~2500 {\AA}3) and a very complex, disordered structure, which can drive the realization of ultralow thermal conductivity in this material. The measured Seebeck coefficient, $\alpha$, for single-crystalline Ca$_{10}$GdCdSb$_9$ approaches 350 $\mu$V/K at 600 K. The experimentally determined electrical resistivity of Ca$_{10}$GdCdSb$_9$ is very low, leading to a remarkably high-power factor PF of 23.2 $\mu$W/cm.K$^2$ at 460 K. The extraordinary PF value in this material, higher than those of the currently known state-of-the-art materials within the same temperature range, suggests that the Ca$_{10}$RECdSb$_9$ material system (RE = rare earth metal) could serve as a viable playground to harnessing new efficient thermoelectric generators.