In an effort to further understand the influence of Nd on
the thermoelectric properties of the binary compound CoSb3
and try to optimize them through doping, we prepared and
investigated NdxCo4-yNiySb12 compounds. The samples have
been prepared by a conventional metallurgical route.
Structural analysis have been carried out by X-ray diffraction.
The chemical composition and micro-homogeneity have been
checked by electron probe microanalysis. Measurements of
the electrical resistivity, thermoelectric power, thermal
conductivity and Hall coefficient have been performed. The
influence of both Nd and Ni on the thermoelectric properties
of the binary parent CoSb3 is presented and discussed. Nd
plays the role of a dopant (n-type) and the presence of Ni
contributes to decrease significantly the electrical resistivity