Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
The transport properties of the partially filled CaxCo4-yNiySb12 skutterudite compounds have been investigated in the 300 – 800 K temperature range. We underline the positive influence of the Ni substitution on the electrical resistivity and thermopower while the thermal properties – thermal conductivity – remains almost unaffected. These results suggest again a beneficial effect of Ni atoms on the dimensionless figure of merit in CoSb3 based compounds.