Thermoelectric\nProperty\nEnhancement of Tellurium Nanowires\nby Surface Passivation

The\npursuit of high-performance thermoelectric materials\nis of\nparamount importance in addressing energy sustainability and environmental\nconcerns. Here, we explore the multifaceted impact of sulfur passivation\nin the matrix of tellurium nanowires (TeNWs), encompassing environmental\ncontrol, thermoelectric properties, and charge carrier mobility. In\nthis study, we present the facile production of TeNWs using an aqueous\nsolution synthesis approach. The synthesized TeNWs were subsequently\nsubjected to surface modification involving sulfur moieties. Our findings\ndemonstrate that sulfur passivation not only effectively safeguards\nthe nanowires from environmental degradation but also significantly\naugments their thermoelectric properties. Notably, the highest recorded\nvalues were achieved at 560 K for passivated tellurium nanowires,\nexhibiting a Seebeck coefficient of 246 μV/K, an electrical\nconductivity of 14.2 S/cm, and power factors of 86.7 μW/m-K<sup>2</sup>. This strategy presents a promising avenue for the development\nof advanced thermoelectric materials for applications in energy harvesting,\nwaste heat recovery, and sustainable energy conversion technologies.