Thermoelectric properties of Eu(Zn1-xCdx)(2)Sb-2

The thermoelectric performance of EuZn2Sb2 and EuCd2Sb2 was optimized by mixed occupation of the transition metal position. Samples in the solid solution Eu(Zn1-xCdx)(2)Sb-2 with the CaAl2Si2-type crystal structure ( space group (P) over bar m1) were prepared from the elements for compositions with x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1. The thermoelectric properties were investigated after densification of the products by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The samples show low electrical resistivity, high thermopower and a low lattice thermoconductivity. The highest ZT value of 1.06 at 650 K is obtained for x = 0.1.