Synthesis, characterization and thermoelectric properties of Sm filled Fe4−xNixSb12 skutterudites

High figure of merit of n-type skutterudites have encouraged the researchers to focus on its p-type counterpart. In the following study, we report a rather simple synthesis route for Sm filled and Ni-doped p-type skutterudites (SmyFe4−xNixSb12.8, y = 0.7-0.8, x = 0.4-1.2, nominal composition), along with high temperature thermoelectric properties. Sample were prepared by melting, quenching, followed by annealing and the resulted chunks were cut into disks form to measure the thermoelectric properties without applying high pressure sintering techniques. Ni addition helped in optimizing the carrier concentration and resulted in a final ZT of 0.55 at 560 K.