Nanosized La filled CoSb3 prepared by a solvothermal-annealing method

Nanostructuring is one of the effective approaches to lower the thermal conductivity of materials. Nanosized La filled CoSb(3) was successfully synthesized by a solvothermal-annealing method. It shows that the La atoms were filled into the lattice cages during the annealing process. The average size of the powders after annealing process is about 20 nm, a little larger than the solvothermally prepared powders. The bulk sample was prepared by hot pressing. Electrical properties measurements were performed and the highest power factor is about 0.43 x 10(-3) Wm(-1)K(-2) obtained at 520 K. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.