A new type of thermoelectric material, EuZn2Sb2

Polycrystalline EuZn2Sb2 is prepared by direct reaction of the elements. Its composition, structure, magnetism, heat capacity, and thermoelectric properties have been investigated. EuZn2Sb2 crystallizes in p (3) over barm space group with a=4.4932(7) angstrom and c=7.6170(10) angstrom. Antiferromagnetic ordering is detected at the Neel temperature of 13.06 K, and the saturation magnetization reaches 6.87 mu(B)/Eu at 2 K and 7 T. Eu ion has +2 valence. Its Hall effects are characterized by a high positive Hall coefficient of +0.226 cm(3)/C, proper carrier concentration of 2.77X10(19)/cm(3), and high carrier mobility of 257 cm(2)/V s at 300 K. This compound shows high p- type Seebeck coefficient (+ 122 to + 181 mu V/K), low lattice thermal conductivity (1.60-0.40 W/mK), and high electrical conductivity (1137-524 S/cm). The obtained figure of merit and powder factor reach 0.92 and 20.72 mu W/cm K-2, respectively. The thermoelectric properties of EuZn2Sb2 are encouraging. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3001608]