Effect of Zn addition on thermoelectric properties of Zn/sub 4/Sb/sub 3/ synthesized by direct hot pressing

Powder metallurgy was used to produce polycrystalline specimens of single phase /spl epsi/-Zn/sub 4/Sb/sub 3/ and two-phase specimens of /spl epsi/-Zn/sub 4/Sb/sub 3/ (majority phase) and Zn. The effect of excess Zn addition to the stoichiometry of Zn/sub 4/Sb/sub 3/ was investigated on the thermoelectric properties as well as mechanical properties in the alloy system. The room-temperature thermoelectric properties of our single phase Zn/sub 4/Sb/sub 3/ alloys are comparable to those reported by other researchers on samples prepared by hot pressing of ingot melted alloy powders. It is shown that the addition of Zn enhances the mechanical properties while sacrificing the thermoelectric properties.