Thermoelectricity of EuCu2(Ge1-xSix)2EuCu2(Ge1-xSix)2 intermetallics

The evolution of the thermopower S(T)S(T) of EuCu2(Ge1-xSix)2EuCu2(Ge1-xSix)2 intermetallics, which is induced by the Si–Ge substitution, is explained by the Kondo scattering of conduction electrons on the Eu ions which fluctuate between the magnetic 2+ and non-magnetic 3+ Hund's rule configurations. The Si–Ge substitution is equivalent to chemical pressure which modifies the coupling and the relative occupation of the f and conduction states.