Thermoelectric properties of tin-filled skutterudites prepared by mechanical alloying process

Sn-filled (Fe, Co)Sb₃ skutterudites of the form of Sn_yFe₃Co₅Sb₂₄ (0≤y≤1.5) were synthesized by the mechanical alloying of elemental powders followed by vacuum hot pressing. The phase transformations that occur during both mechanical alloying and vacuum hot pressing were examined by X-ray diffraction. Single-phase Sn-filled skutterudite was successfully produced by vacuum hot pressing using as-milled powders without subsequent annealing. The thermoelectric properties of the hot-pressed specimens were evaluated as a function of temperature and tin content. The void filling of tin (up to y=1.0) in Fe₃Co₅Sb₂₄ appeared to increase the thermoelectric figure of merit.