Good thermoelectric performance in strongly correlated system SnCCo3 with antiperovskite structure.

We report the magnetic, electrical, and thermoelectric properties of SnCCo3, where good thermoelectric performance [figure of merit ZT ∼ 0.035(2), 258 K] and strong electron correlation (Kadowaki-Woods ratio RKW ∼ 4a0) are observed. The thermoelectric properties of ACCo3 (A = Al, Ga, Ge) and SnCM3 (M = Mn, Fe) were also investigated for comparison. As a result, the ZT value of SnCCo3 is the largest among all of those samples, which is mainly attributed to the large Seebeck coefficient caused by the strong electron correlation and low carrier density. Moreover, the ZT value can be effectively enhanced by proper chemical doping in SnCCo3.