We have investigated the influence of Sc substitution on the transport and magnetic properties of YbAl2, a well-known intermediate valence compound. Sc substitution provides a chemical pressure that decreases the lattice constant and thereby alters the Yb valence as a function of composition and temperature. We observe a strong correlation between the Seebeck coefficient and the ratio of trivalent to divalent Yb in these compounds, as determined from magnetic susceptibility measurements. This correlation indicates that the largest absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient is achieved when the average Yb valence is near 2.5 (the ratio of divalent to trivalent Yb is 1:1). It is shown that Sc concentration can be used as a means to tune both the magnitude of the maximum of the Seebeck coefficient and the temperature at which this absolute maximum occurs, improving the prospects of the use of these materials in cryogenic Peltier coolers.
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14 December 2013
Research Article|
December 10 2013
Enhanced thermoelectric power factor in Yb1−xScxAl2 alloys using chemical pressure tuning of the Yb valence
Gloria J. Lehr;
Gloria J. Lehr
1
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing
, Michigan 48824, USA
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Donald T. Morelli;
Donald T. Morelli
a)
1
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing
, Michigan 48824, USA
2
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University, East Lansing
, Michigan 48824, USA
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Hyungyu Jin;
Hyungyu Jin
3
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus,
Ohio 43210, USA
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Joseph P. Heremans
Joseph P. Heremans
3
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus,
Ohio 43210, USA
4
Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus
, Ohio 43210, USA
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a)
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Electronic mail: [email protected]
J. Appl. Phys. 114, 223712 (2013)
Article history
Received:
October 01 2013
Accepted:
November 22 2013
Citation
Gloria J. Lehr, Donald T. Morelli, Hyungyu Jin, Joseph P. Heremans; Enhanced thermoelectric power factor in Yb1−xScxAl2 alloys using chemical pressure tuning of the Yb valence. J. Appl. Phys. 14 December 2013; 114 (22): 223712. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4842795
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