Thermoelectric properties of heavy fermion compound Ce3Co4Sn13

Abstract

The heavy fermion compound Ce3Co4Sn13 was studied in terms of its thermoelectric properties. To enhance its gure of merit we milled the solid sample and then pressed to obtain a consistent granulated material. The main properties, such as the Seebeck coe cient, thermal conductivity and electronic resistivity were measured at low (< 300 K) temperatures for both, the solid and the granulated sample. Thermal conductivity was diminished and the Seebeck coe cient was slightly enhanced, while the resistivity of produced material was increased. We explain it by strong electron scattering on defects and grain boundaries present in the sample. The resulting gure of merit ZT was found to be enhanced almost across the whole measured T region.