The Transport Properties of Quasi–One-Dimensional Ba 3 Co 2 O 6 (CO 3 ) 0.7
We have performed combined elastic neutron diffuse, electrical transport, specific heat, and thermal conductivity measurements on the quasi–one-dimensional Ba 3 Co 2 O 6 (CO 3 ) 0.7 single crystal to characterize its transport properties. A modulated superstructure of polyatomic CO 3 2- is formed, which not only interferes the electronic properties of this compound, but also reduces the thermal conductivity along the c-axis. Furthermore, a large magnetic entropy is observed to be contributed to the heat conduction. Our investigations reveal the influence of both structural and magnetic effects on its transport properties and suggest a theoretical improvement on the thermoelectric materials by building up superlattice with conducting ionic group.