Synthesis of Zn/sub 4/Sb/sub 3/ compound by PIES method

An attempt was made to synthesize /spl beta/-Zn/sub 4/Sb/sub 3/ semiconducting compound by PIES (Pulverized and Intermixed Elements Sintering)/hot-pressing method. We found that it is possible to synthesize /spl beta/-Zn/sub 4/Sb/sub 3/ as a major phase without increased temperature when we start the ball milling process with a Zn-rich composition. The power factor /spl alpha//sup 2///spl rho/ at room temperature was 6.3/spl times/10/sup -4/ W/mK/sup 2/ and these initial data clarified that relatively high performance can be achieved with the PIES/hot-press method.