New Members of The Ca₁₄AlSb₁₁ Structure Type: Structure and Thermoelectric Properties

Compounds of the Ca₁₄AlSb₁₁ structure type show some of the highest <i>zT</i>s at high temperatures for p-type compounds. We have shown that preparing these phases with binary precursors of the appropriate composition provides a high-fidelity route to phase pure powders. This allows for broad exploration of this structure type and the resulting thermoelectric properties. We have initiated an investigation of the Eu- and As-containing compounds. In principle, for Eu₁₄<i>M</i>As₁₁, the following compounds should be possible with <i>M</i> = Mn, Zn, Cd, Mg, Fe. I will present the synthesis of these phases, and the thermoelectric properties and compare them with other compounds of this structure type.