Matrix plainification leads to high thermoelectric performance in plastic Cu2Se/SnSe composites
Thermoelectric technology exhibits significant potential for power generation and electronic cooling. In this study, we report the achievement of exceptional thermoelectric performance and high plasticity in stable Cu<sub>2</sub>Se/SnSe composites. A novel matrix plainification strategy was employed to eliminate lattice vacancies within the Cu<sub>2</sub>Se matrix of the Cu<sub>2</sub>Se/SnSe composites, resulting in a marked improvement in carrier mobility and power factor. The presence of quasi-coherent interfaces induces phonon scattering, reducing lattice thermal conductivity without compromising carrier mobility. Consequently, a high figure of merit (ZT) of 3.3 was attained in the Cu<sub>2</sub>Se/5 wt.% Sn<sub>0.96</sub>Pb<sub>0.01</sub>Zn<sub>0.03</sub>Se composite. Additionally, the presence of high-density nanotwins imparts remarkable plasticity to the composite, yielding a compressive strain of 12%. The secondary phase contributes to the stability of the composite by hindering the extensive migration of Cu ions through bonding interactions. Our findings present a novel strategy for enhancing the thermoelectric performance of composite semiconductors, with potential applicability to other thermoelectric systems.
Authors
- Rongxin Sun
- Junquan Huang
- Wei Dou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8908-210X)
- Pan Ying (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0941-3541)
- Guodong Tang
- Haijun Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7303-379X)
- Yang Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2337-0683)
- Yongsheng Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0007-0589)
- Yuqi Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5792-5723)
- Chen Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0912-2242)
- Tao Feng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8583-1801)
- Kun Song (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0670-6904)
- Deshang Xiang
- Tao Shen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5828-9567)
- Yuxuan Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3700-612X)
- Yang Geng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7630-7002)
- Tong Song (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4183-8454)
- Congmin Liang
- Yaru Gong
- Qingyang Jian
- Yanan Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7496-1507)
- Xiaoyu Fei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5872-5116)
Institutions
- Nanjing Tech University (CN)
- Qufu Normal University (CN)
- Nanjing University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Yanshan University (CN)
- Xi'an Jiaotong University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-04-07
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58484-0
- Citations
- 23
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 11.91
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Government of Jiangsu Province
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities