X-ray scattering study of thermoelectric β-ZnSb.

The application of thermoelectrics for energy harvesting depends strongly on operational reliability and it is therefore desirable to investigate the structural integrity of materials under operating conditions. We have developed an setup capable of simultaneously measuring X-ray scattering data and electrical resistance on pellets subjected to electrical current. Here, investigations of β-ZnSb are reported at current densities of 0.

Time-resolved grazing-incidence pair distribution functions during deposition by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering.

Characterization of local order in thin films is challenging with pair distribution function (PDF) analysis because of the minute mass of the scattering material. Here, it is demonstrated that reliable high-energy grazing-incidence total X-ray scattering data can be obtained during thin-film deposition by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. A benchmark system of Pt was investigated in a novel sputtering chamber mounted on beamline P07-EH2 at the PETRA III synchrotron.

Highly enhanced thermal stability of Zn4Sb3 nanocomposites.

The effects of nano-sized TiO2 and ZnO ceramic inclusions on the high temperature stability of Zn4Sb3 have been studied using multi-temperature synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. Samples with 9 nm TiO2 nanoinclusions exhibit remarkable stability after three heating cycles to 625 K.