Enhancing thermoelectric properties of a p-type Mg 3 Sb 2 - based Zintl phase compound by Pb substitution in the anionic framework

Pb substitution on anionic site of Mg 3 Sb 2 structure enhances the power factor and simultaneously reduces the thermal conductivity which leads to a ZT ≈ 0.84 at 773 K for Mg 3 Sb 1.8 Pb 0.2 alloy. The enhanced ZT of this system is comparable to bismuth telluride and selenide industrial materials which are toxic and expensive.