Thermoelectric Properties of Cobalt Monosilicide and Its Alloys

Abstract

Thermoelectric properties of cobalt monosilicide CoSi and (Co_{1 –x}M_xSi, M = Fe, Ni) alloys are studied. Alloy compositions with an iron content of up to 10 at % and nickel content of up to 5 at % are examined. The thermoelectric power and electrical resistivity are measured at temperatures in the range 100–800 K. Recent calculations of the band structure of cobalt monosilicide have revealed a number of significant differences from the standard semi-metallic model with the energy overlap of parabolic bands for electrons and holes. This requires the modification of previously employed models to describe the transport properties. The possibility of theoretical description of the experimental temperature and concentration dependences of the thermoelectric power and electrical resistivity with the use of different models for description of the electronic spectrum is analyzed.