Direct and indirect effects of filling on electronic structure of skutterudites

Daehyun Wee, Boris Kozinsky, Marco Fomari, Nicola Marzari

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We perform ab-initio computations to investigate the family of CoSb 3 skutterudites in an attempt to develop deeper understanding of the effect of fillers. Primary focus is on Ba-filled CoSb3 systems, while Ca and Sr-filled systems are also compared for checking consistency. We analyze both global and local structural effects of filling. We show the specific deformation of Sb network introduced by the filler. Such a deformation is localized around the filler site since soft Sb rings accommodate the distortion. Rearrangement of Sb atoms affects the band structures, and we perform additional analysis to clarify the effect of volume on the band gap. Phonon dispersions are briefly discussed, and filler-dominated vibrations are identified. These modes form the first optical modes at Γ. They manifest themselves in phonon dispersion curves as flat lines, showing that they are localized, while filler vibration is strongly coupled with nearby Sb atoms.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMaterials and Devices for Thermal-to-Electric Energy Conversion
PublisherMaterials Research Society
Pages115-120
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781605111391
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
Event2009 MRS Spring Meeting: Materials and Devices for Thermal-to-Electric Energy Conversion - San Francisco, CA, United States
Duration: 13 Apr 200917 Apr 2009

Publication series

NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Volume1166
ISSN (Print)0272-9172

Conference

Conference2009 MRS Spring Meeting: Materials and Devices for Thermal-to-Electric Energy Conversion
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco, CA
Period13/04/0917/04/09

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