Phase diagram, crystal chemistry and thermoelectric properties of compounds in the Ca–Co–Zn–O system

In the Ca–Co–Zn–O system, we have determined the tie-line relationships and the thermoelectric properties, solid solution limits, and structures of two low-dimensional cobaltite series, Ca3(Co, Zn)4O9−z and Ca3(Co,Zn)2O6−z at 885 °C in air. In Ca3(Co,Zn)4O9−z, which has a misfit layered structure, Zn was found to substitute in the Co site to a limit of Ca3(Co3.8Zn0.2)O9−z. The compound Ca3(Co,Zn)2O6−z (n=1 member of the homologous series, Can+2(Co,Zn)n(Co,Zn)′O3n+3−z) consists of one-dimensional parallel (Co,Zn)2O66− chains that are built from successive alternating face-sharing (Co,Zn)O6 trigonal prisms and ‘n’ units of (Co,Zn)O6 octahedra along the hexagonal c-axis. Zn substitutes in the Co site of Ca3Co2O6 to a small amount of approximately Ca3(Co1.95Zn0.05)O6−z. In the ZnO–CoOz system, Zn substitutes in the tetrahedral Co site of Co3O4 to the maximum amount of (Co2.49Zn0.51)O4−z and Co substitutes in the Zn site of ZnO to (Zn0.94Co0.06)O. The crystal structures of (Co2.7Zn0.3)O4−z, (Zn0.94Co0.06)O, and Ca3(Co1.95 Zn0.05)O6−z are described. Despite the Ca3(Co, Zn)2O6−z series having reasonably high Seebeck coefficients and relatively low thermal conductivity, the electrical resistivity values of its members are too high to achieve high figure of merit, ZT.

Phase diagram of the CaO–CoOx–ZnO system at 885 °C in air, showing the limits of various solid solutions, and the tie-line relationships of various phases .Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Phase diagram of the Ca–Co–Zn–O system determined at 885 °C.
► Structures of Ca3(Co, Zn)2O6−z and (Co,Zn)3O4−z studied.
► Thermoelectric properties of Ca3(Co,Zn)4O9−z and Ca3(Co, Zn)2O6−z measured.