Thermoelectric properties of Ca2Sn/Ca3SnO

Abstract

This type of materials was first synthesized in 1961 (Eckerlin), and its structure was determined by XRD measurements [1]. There are little experimental studies of thermodynamic and electrical properties of these compounds [2–4], as even in the first paper it was observed that these materials within a very short time turn into black powder after exposure to air. That powder contains mainly oxidation products. Recently, these materials were studied using ab-initio calculations and they were predicted to possess very promising thermopower [5–10]. Its real crystal structure is also a matter of debate [3, 8, 9]. The usability of thermoelectric material for thermoelectric applications depend on figure of merit, where high thermopower, small thermal conductivity and low resistivity is expected from a prospective material [11, 12]. Due to recent ab-initio studies we decided to revisit Ca2Sn, and measure its thermoelectric properties[…]