Approaches to make phase-pure alloys with volatile elements: LiZnSb and KZnSb

초록

Achieving phase-pure Zintl alloys containing volatile elements remains a critical challenge due to their high reactivity, low melting points, and strong vapor pressures. In this work, we present a strategy for synthesizing single-phase alkali-metal-incorporated ZnSb alloys, focusing on 1-1-1 type Zintl compounds. Conventional solid-state reactions are often compromised by secondary phase formation and surface oxidation. To address these issues, we established a refined two-step process to synthesize bulk phase-pure LiZnSb, and further developed a three-step process to address the challenges associated with potassium, thereby achieved bulk phase-pure KZnSb. Air stability tests further demonstrate that the three-step process significantly suppresses surface oxidation in KZnSb compared with conventional approaches. This work offers an effective strategy for stabilizing alkali-metal-based thermoelectric materials and provides a foundation to design next-generation Zintl-phase materials for high-efficiency energy harvesting applications. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

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