Preparation and properties of Zn$_{4}$Sb$_{3}$-based thermoelectric material

The effect of synthesis conditions on the structure and thermoelectric properties of materials based on zinc antimonide is investigated. Problems related to the effects of excess Zn, the spark plasma sintering conditions, and In doping on the phase structure and thermal stability of properties of the obtained material are considered. The material is prepared by the direct alloying of components with subsequent spark plasma sintering. It is shown that the addition of an excess amount of Zn and In doping under certain conditions of spark plasma sintering makes it possible to obtain $\beta$-Zn$_{4}$Sb$_{3}$ material with a thermoelectric-efficiency value of $ZT\approx$ 1.47 at a temperature of 720 K, which shows the stability of the properties within these tests.