Properties of alkaline-earth-filled skutterudite antimonides: A(Fe,Ni)4Sb12 (A=Ca, Sr, and Ba)

Properties of alkaline-earth-filled skutterudite antimonides based on Fe and Ni are studied using first-principles calculations and Boltzmann transport theory. We find heavy conduction bands and a light-band-heavy-band mixture in the valence bands. The thermopower at high temperature is high for high carrier concentrations up to 0.2 per unit cell for both p type and n type. The results suggest experimental investigation of these materials as potential thermoelectrics.