Abstract: β-Zn₄Sb₃ is one of the most important thermoelectric materials in the intermediate temperature range, while the poor mechanical properties limit its commercial application. A series of β-Zn_4+xSb₃ bulk materials with high thermoelectric performance and high mechanical properties were fabricated by a melt spinning (MS) technique followed by a quick spark plasma sintering (SPS) procedure. By adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of Zn and Sb, we optimize the thermoelectric performance of this series of bulk materials. With increasing the amount of Zn, electrical and thermal conductivities of the sample increase, and the Seebeck coefficient declines. The ZT_max is 1.13 at 700K for the Zn_4.32Sb₃ sample, compared with the M-ingot sample it increases by 47% at the same temperature. The samples prepared by MS-SPS method have much better mechanical properties compared with the samples prepared by traditional melting and SPS method. The pressive strength of MS-SPS samples was nearly twice of that of the sample prepared by melting method. This kind of high performance and high mechanical strength β-Zn_4+xSb₃ bulk material has great potential for commercial application.

Key words: &beta, -Zn_4+xSb₃, nanostructure, thermoelectric performance, mechanical property