In this paper, the Co 1−x Ni x Sb 3+y system ͑x = 0.1, 0.2; y = 0, 0.05͒ has been prepared by direct current induced hot press and annealing. Pores were made by annealing pressed Co 1−x Ni x Sb 3.05 pellets into Co 1−x Ni x Sb 3 pellets during annealing. It was found that from room temperature to 500°C, the pores with diameter larger than 1 m has significantly increased the Seebeck coefficient, considerably decreased the thermal conductivity, almost maintained the electrical conductivity constant, and therefore markedly improved the dimensionless figure of merit ͑ZT͒ of Co 1−x Ni x Sb 3 system. By comparing the samples, we conclude that inducing pores into skutterudites is an effective route to greatly improve the ZT.

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In the version of this Article originally published, in Table 1, the H 2 Faradaic efficiency for Cu(C) incorrectly read 66.4%; it should have been 36 ± 2%. This has now been corrected.

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