Structural phase transition behaviour of Zn4Sb3and its substitutional compounds (Zn0.98M0.02)4Sb3(M= Al, Ga and In) at low temperatures
Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: Structural phase transitions of Zn 4 Sb 3 and its substitutional compounds (Zn 0.98 M 0.02 ) 4 Sb 3 ( M = Al, Ga and In) are investigated by electrical transport measurement and differential scanning calorimetry below room temperature. The results indicate that both β → α and α → α' phase transitions of Zn 4 Sb 3 are reversible and exothermic processes, which may be explained as that both the transitions originate from the ordering of the disordered interstitial Zn and vacancies in regular sizes. The derived activation energies of β → α and α → α' phase transition processes for Zn 4 Sb 3 are E 1 = 3.9 eV and E 2 = 4.1 eV, respectively. Although no remarkable influence on activation energy E 2 is observed after Al doping, Al substitution for Zn causes E 1 to increase to 4.6 eV, implying its suppression of β → α transition to a great extent. Moreover, it is found that both β → α and α → α' transitions are completely prohibited by substitution of either In or Ga for Zn in Zn 4 Sb 3 . The underlying mechanisms for these phenomena are discussed.
Source: Chinese Physics B
Authors: Liu Feng, Qin Xiao-Ying, Liu Mian
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2067899553