Structural phase transition behaviour of Zn4Sb3 and its substitutional compounds(Zn0.98M0.02)4Sb3(M=A1,Ga and In)at low temperatures

• 来源期刊: 中国物理B（英文版）
• 关键词: Zn4Sb3 differential scanning calorimetry phase transition
• 年，卷（期）: 2009,（10）
• 页码范围: 4386-4392
• 页数: 7页
• 语种: 英文

摘要

Structural phase transitions of Zn4Sb3 and its substitutional compounds(Zn0 98M0. 02)4Sb3(M=A1,Ga andIn)are investigated by electrical transport measurement and differential scanning calorimetry below room temperature.The results indicate that bothβ(→)α andα(→)α' phase transitions of Zn4Sb3 are reversible and exothermic processes,which may be explained as that both the transitions originate from the ordering of the disordered interstitial Zn andvacancies in regular sizes.The derived activation energies ofβ(→)αandα(→)α'phase transition processes for Zn4Sb3are E1=3.9 eV and E2=4.1 eV,respectively.Although no remarkable influence on activation energy E2 is observedafter Al doping,Al substitution for Zn Causes El to increase to 4.6 eV,implying its suppression ofβ(→)αtransition toa great extent.Moreover,it is found that bothβ(→)α andα(→)α' transitions are completely prohibited by substitutionof either In or Ga for Zn in Zn4Sb3.The underlying mechanisms for these phenomena are discussed.