Enhanced thermoelectric properties of n-type NbCoSn half-Heusler by improving phase purity

Here we report the thermoelectric properties of NbCoSn-based n-type half-Heuslers (HHs) that were obtained through arc melting, ball milling, and hot pressing process. With 10% Sb substitution at the Sn site, we obtained enhanced n-type properties with a maximum power factor reaching ∼35 μW cm−1 K−2 and figure of merit (ZT) value ∼0.6 in NbCoSn0.9Sb0.1. The ZT is doubled compared to the previous report. In addition, the specific power cost ($ W−1) is decreased by ∼68% comparing to HfNiSn-based n-type HH because of the elimination of Hf.