journal article·2023-01Open access

Weak Electron–Phonon Coupling and Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance in n‐type PbTe–Cu2Se via Dynamic Phase Conversion

Ming Wu, Hong‐Hua Cui, Songting Cai, Shiqiang Hao, Yukun Liu, Trevor P. Bailey, Yinying Zhang, Zixuan Chen, Yubo Luo, Ctirad Uher, Christopher Wolverton, Vinayak P. Dravid, Yan Yu, Zhong‐Zhen Luo, Zhigang Zou, Qingyu Yan, Mercouri G. Kanatzidis

Advanced Energy Materials· Volume 13· Issue 1

Abstract

Abstract This study investigates Ga‐doped n‐type PbTe thermoelectric materials and the dynamic phase conversion process of the second phases via Cu2Se alloying. Introducing Cu2Se enhances its electrical transport properties while reducing its lattice thermal conductivity (κlat) via weak electron–phonon coupling. Cu2Te and CuGa(Te/Se)2 (tetragonal phase) nanocrystals precipitate during the alloying process, resulting in Te vacancies and interstitial Cu in the PbTe matrix. At room temperature, Te vacancies and interstitial Cu atoms serve as n‐type dopants, increasing the carrier concentration and electrical conductivity from ≈1.18 × 1019 cm−3 and ≈1870 S cm−1 to ≈2.26 × 1019 cm−3 and ≈3029 S cm−1, respectively. With increasing temperature, the sample exhibits a dynamic change in Cu2Te content and the generation of a new phase of CuGa(Te/Se)2 (cubic phase), strengthening the phonon scattering and obtaining an ultralow κlat. Pb0.975Ga0.025Te‐3%CuSe exhibits a maximum figure of merit of ≈1.63 at 823 K, making it promising for intermediate‐temperature device applications.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices · Chalcogenide Semiconductor Thin Films · Thermal properties of materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Key Laboratory of Eco‐Materials Advanced Technology College of Materials Science and Engineering Fuzhou University Fuzhou 350108 P. R. China

Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Practice Center Fuzhou University Fuzhou 350108 P. R. China

Department of Chemistry Northwestern University Evanston IL 60208 USA

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern University Evanston IL 60208 USA

Department of Physics University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI 48109 USA

State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology School of Materials Science and Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430074 P. R. China

Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China Fuzhou Fujian 350108 P. R. China

Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Technologies International (HongKong Macao and Taiwan) Joint Laboratory on Advanced Materials Technologies College of Materials Science and Engineering Fuzhou University Fuzhou Fujian 350108 P. R. China

School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanyang Technological University Singapore 639798 Singapore

Eco‐Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Nanjing University Nanjing 210093 P. R. China

Institute of Materials Research and Engineering A*STAR Singapore 138634 Singapore

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · U.S. Department of Energy · Office of Science · Basic Energy Sciences · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Harvard University

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