| Enhanced thermoelectric performance of ZnSb through Fe doping-induced phonon scattering |
Jeong Min Lee1, Seung Bin Park1, Sung Hyun Kang1, Yong-Jae Jung2, Minsu Heo3, Jong-Min Oh1, Sang-Mo Koo1, Woo Hyun Nam2, Jung Young Cho2, Hyun-Sik Kim3, Jinsung Choi4, Eun Ha Choi4,5, Weon Ho Shin1
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1Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, 01897, Republic of Korea
2Advanced Materials Convergence R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering & Technology, Jinju, 52861, Republic of Korea
3Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Seoul, Seoul, 02504, Republic of Korea
4Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, 01897, Republic of Korea
5Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, 01897, Republic of Korea |
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Received: September 1, 2025; Revised: December 16, 2025 Accepted: January 9, 2026. Published online: February 3, 2026. |
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| ABSTRACT |
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Thermoelectric (TE) technology offers a sustainable solution that improves energy efficiency by converting waste heat into electrical energy. Among various thermoelectric materials, ZnSb has attracted attention due to its stable operation in the medium temperature range, its abundance, and its low cost. However, its simple crystal structure results in high thermal conductivity, which limits its thermoelectric performance. In this study, we doped Fe at the Zn sites to improve the electrical and thermal transport properties of ZnSb and analyzed the effects of Fe substitution. FeyZn1-ySb (y = 0, 0.001, 0.002, 0.004, and 0.006) compounds were synthesized via a melting-quenching-annealing process, and thermoelectric performance was evaluated according to Fe content. Low Fe doping significantly reduced lattice thermal conductivity by maximizing phonon scattering without significantly degrading electrical properties. The Fe0.002Zn0.998Sb sample exhibited an improved zT value of ~ 0.613 at 723 K, a 21% improvement over the ~ 0.507 value of pure ZnSb. These results provide new insights into the enhancement of ZnSb thermoelectric properties through Fe doping and will contribute to the development of efficient and sustainable thermoelectric materials. |
| Key words:
Thermoelectric · ZnSb · Transition metal · Thermal conductivity · Phonon scattering |
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