Thermoelectric properties of Ho-doped Bi0.88Sb0.12

The Seebeck coefficients, electrical resistivities, total thermal conductivities, and magnetization are reported for temperatures between 5 and 350 K for n-type Bi0.88Sb0.12 nano-composite alloys made by Ho-doping at the 0, 1, and 3 % atomic levels. The alloys were prepared using a dc hot-pressing method, and are shown to be single phase for both Ho contents with grain sizes on the average of 900 nm. We find the parent compound has a maximum of ZT = 0.28 at 231 K, while doping 1 % Ho increases the maximum ZT to 0.31 at 221 K and the 3 % doped sample suppresses the maximum ZT = 0.24 at a temperature of 260 K.