Probing local distortion around structural defects in half-Heusler thermoelectric NiZrSn alloy.

The half-Heusler NiZrSn (NZS) alloy is particularly interesting owing to its excellent thermoelectric properties, mechanical strength, and oxidation resistance. However, the experimentally investigated thermal conductivity of half-Heusler NZS alloys shows discrepancies when compared to the theoretical predictions. This study investigates the crystal structure around atomic defects by comparing experimental and theoretical X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectra of the crystal structure of a half-Heusler NZS alloy. The results of both Zr and Ni K-edge XAFS spectra verified the existence of atomic defects at the vacancy sites distorting the C1