Effect of C/sub 60/ particle dispersion on the thermoelectric performance of CoSb/sub 3/

CoSb/sub 3/-C/sub 60/ composites were prepared by solid state reaction and sintering process. The constituent phases of the samples were determined by XRD. Thermal conductivity, thermopower, and electrical resistivity in the temperature range between 300 K and 800 K were measured. The composites have thermoelectric properties similar to those of CoSb/sub 3/. For the CoSb/sub 3/+4mass%C/sub 60/ composite, the thermal conductivity was reduced by 32%, while electrical conductivity was reduced by 20% and Seebeck coefficient was increased a little comparing to CoSb/sub 3/ at 800 K. As the result, the highest ZT value of the composite increased 20%. The effects of the particle contents and distribution on the thermoelectric properties of skutterudites are discussed.