Dopant-segregation to grain boundaries controls electrical conductivity of n-type NbCo(Pt)Sn half-Heusler alloy mediating thermoelectric performance

Ting Luo, Federico Serrano-Sánchez, Hanna Bishara, Siyuan Zhang, Bueno Villoro, Jimmy Jiahong Kuo, Claudia Felser, Christina Scheu, G. Jeffrey Snyder, James P. Best, Gerhard Dehm, Yuan Yu, Dierk Raabe, Chenguang Fu, Baptiste Gault

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Science-driven design of future thermoelectric materials requires a deep understanding of the fundamental relationships between microstructure and transport properties. Grain boundaries in polycrystalline materials influence the thermoelectric performance through the scattering of phonons or the trapping of electrons due to space-charge effects. Yet, the current lack of careful investigations on grain boundary-associated features hinders further optimization of properties. Here, we study n-type NbCo1-xPtxSn half-Heusler alloys, which were synthesized by ball milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Post-SPS annealing was performed on one sample, leading to improved low-temperature electrical conductivity. The microstructure of both samples was examined by electron microscopy and atom probe tomography. The grain size increases from ~230 nm to ~2.38 μm upon annealing. Pt is found within grains and at grain boundaries, where it locally reduces the resistivity, as assessed by in situ four-point-probe electrical conductivity measurement. Our work showcases the correlation between microstructure and electrical conductivity, providing opportunities for future microstructural optimization by tuning the chemical composition at grain boundaries.

Original languageEnglish
Article number117147
JournalActa Materialia
Volume217
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Sep 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Grain boundary resistivity
  • Grain boundary segregation
  • Half-Heusler
  • NbCoSn
  • Thermoelectric

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Metals and Alloys

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