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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We have investigated the magnetic and transport properties of CeyCo4Sb12 filled skutterudites with the filling fraction y ≤ 0.1. These compounds are n-type materials that develop a magnetic moment upon the presence of trivalent cerium. Cerium has a strong influence on all transport properties and even in small amounts it drastically reduces the lattice thermal conductivity. The resulting figures of merit are comparable to the values established previously for the p-type filled skutterudites.