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The mixed ionic-electronic conductor $\beta$-Zn$_4$Sb$_3$ is a cheap and highperforming thermoelectric material, but under operating conditions with atemperature gradient and a running current, the material decomposes as Znreadily migrates in the structure. Here, we report an improved stability of$\beta$-Zn$_4$Sb$_3$ by introducing ion-blocking interfaces of stainless steelto segment the sample, produced by a rapid one-step Spark Plasma Sinteringsynthesis. The stability of the samples is tested under temperature gradientsand electric currents, which reveals significantly improved stability of thesegmented samples compared to unsegmented samples. The segmented samples arestable under temperature gradient from 250{\deg}C to room temperature with noexternal current, whereas the unsegmented sample decomposes into ZnSb and Znunder the same conditions. The thermoelectric figure of merit, zT, of thesegmented sample is slightly reduced, mainly due to the increased thermalconductivity. In conclusion, a rapid one-step synthesis of segmented$\beta$-Zn$_4$Sb$_3$ is developed, which successfully improves the long-termoperational stability by blocking the Zn ion migration.

Improving the operational stability of thermoelectric Zn$_4$Sb$_3$ by segmentation