The remarkable crystal chemistry of the Ca14AlSb11 structure type, magnetic and thermoelectric properties

• Published in: Journal of solid state chemistry Vol. 271; pp. 88 - 102
• Main Authors: Hu, Yufei, Cerretti, Giacomo, Kunz Wille, Elizabeth L., Bux, Sabah K., Kauzlarich, Susan M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-03-2019
• Subjects: Colossal magnetoresistance; Magnetics; Thermoelectrics; Zintl; Thermoelectrics; Zintl; Colossal magnetoresistance; Magnetics
• ISSN: 0022-4596; 1095-726X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2018.12.037

Yb14MnSb11 is a member of a remarkable structural family of compounds that are classified according to the concept of Zintl. This structure type, of which the prototype is Ca14AlSb11, provides a flexible framework for tuning structure-property relationships and hence the physical and chemical properties of compounds. Compounds within this family show exceptional high temperature thermoelectric performance at temperatures above 300 K and unique magnetic and transport behavior at temperatures below 300 K. This review provides an overview of the structure variants, the magnetic properties, and the thermoelectric properties. Suggestions for directions of future research are provided.
The highly flexible Ca14AlSb11 structure type can be substituted, adding and subtracting electrons from the structure in order to tune magnetic, electronic, and transport properties. [Display omitted]