Synthesis and characterization of nano-engineered thermoelectric Skutterudite via solution chemistry route

The thermoelectric materials CoSb3 with Skutterudite structure, have been prepared via a chemical solution route. A precursor consisting of a well-defined mixture of Co oxalate and Sb oxide in a ratio of 1:3 mole was prepared. The precursor was calcined and reduced under hydrogen atmosphere whereby the CoSb3 with Skutterudite structure has been thus obtained. The materials obtained at the various processing steps were characterised by SEM; XRD, TGA and BET techniques. (C) 1999 Acta Metallurgica Inc.