Fe-doped skutterudite with a nominal composition of has been synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) of elemental powders, followed by hot pressing. Phase transformations during mechanical alloying and hot pressing were systematically investigated using XRD. Single phase skutterudite was successfully produced by vacuum hot pressing using as-milled powders without subsequent annealing. However, second phase in the form of marcasite structure was found to exist in case of , suggesting the solubility limit of Fe with Co in this system. Thermoelectric properties as functions of temperature and Fe contents were evaluated for the hot pressed specimens. Fe substitution up to x=1.5 with Co in appeared to increase thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) and the maximum ZT was found to be 0.78 at 525K in this study.

Abstract Direct solid state synthesis by hot pressing has been applied in order to produce high efficiency bulk specimens. Single phase with 98.5% of theoretical density was successfully produced by direct hot pressing of elemental powders containing 1.2 at.% excess Zn. Thermoelectric properties as a function of temperature were investigated from room temperature to 600 K and compared with results of other studies. Transport properties at room temperature were also evaluated. Thermoelectric properties of single phase materials produced by direct synthesis were measured and are comparable to the published data. Direct solid state synthesis by hot pressing provides a promising processing route in this material

Bi-Te게 열전재료는 200~400K 정도의 저온에서 에너지 변환 효율이 가장 높은 재료로써 열전냉각, 발전재료 등에 응용하기 위하여 제조방법 및 특성에 관한 많은 역구가 진행되어 왔다. 현재 산업화에 응용되고 있는 일방향응고법은 기계적 강도가 약하여 회수 율이 낮으며, 결정을 성장시키는데 비교적 장시간을 필요로 하기 때문에 제조 단가가 비싸다. 따라서 이와 같은 문제점을 보완하기 위하여 합금설계 및 가공공정에 대한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. 이에