Dual-Antisite Defects and Domain Structures Synergistically Boosting a Record-High ZT &gt; 2.0 in Chalcopyrite Cu <sub>0.7</sub> Ag <sub>0.3</sub> Ga <sub> 1– <i>x</i> </sub> In <sub> <i>x</i> </sub> Te <sub>2</sub> ( <i>x</i> = 0–0.5)

Antisite defects, as intrinsic point defects in crystals, have demonstrated significant potential in optimizing the thermoelectric performance of materials, particularly by modulating the carrier concentration. However, they typically degrade carrier mobility due to the strong coupling among thermoelectric parameters. To address this limitation, we propose a dual-antisite defects strategy: by introducing donor-acceptor defect pairs to form electrically neutral configurations, carrier scattering can be significantly reduced due to charge compensation. Meanwhile, the presence of these point defects still maintains strong phonon scattering. This approach minimizes the loss of electrical mobility while effectively suppressing lattice thermal conductivity (κ<sub>L</sub>). Using chalcopyrite CuGaTe<sub>2</sub> as a matrix, we incorporated charge-balanced dual-antisite defects (Ag<sub>Ga</sub><sup>″</sup> and In<sub>Cu</sub><sup>··</sup>) via alloying. This type of electrically neutral dual-antisite defects can maintain carrier mobility while increasing carrier concentration and significantly suppresses κ<sub>L</sub> by enhancing phonon scattering through the interaction between alloy disorder scattering induced by In alloying and nanodomains. Remarkably, in Cu<sub>0.7</sub>Ag<sub>0.3</sub>Ga<sub>0.6</sub>In<sub>0.4</sub>Te<sub>2</sub>, a record-high ZT value of 2.03 at 873 K was achieved. This dual-antisite defects strategy provides a new paradigm for defect engineering in thermoelectric materials, enabling the simultaneous optimization of electrical and thermal transport properties and offering a valid pathway toward high-performance thermoelectrics.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Published
2026-03-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6c02266
Primary Topic
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Dual-Antisite Defects and Domain Structures Synergistically Boosting a Record-High ZT > 2.0 in Chalcopyrite Cu 0.7 Ag 0.3 Ga 1– x In x Te 2 ( x = 0–0.5)

Zhixiang Yuan, Di Li, Wei Bai, Ping Chen et al.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
article

Dual-Antisite Defects and Domain Structures Synergistically Boosting a Record-High ZT > 2.0 in Chalcopyrite Cu 0.7 Ag 0.3 Ga 1– x In x Te 2 ( x = 0–0.5)

Zhixiang Yuan, Di Li, Wei Bai, Ping Chen, Lulu Huang, S. Wang, Mi Qin, Hongxing Xin, Zhulin Huang, Chong Xiao, Yongsheng Zhang, Xiaobing Liu, Ting Xu, Zhou Li, Jian Zhang, Yi Xie, Yu Liu
article en

Abstract

Antisite defects, as intrinsic point defects in crystals, have demonstrated significant potential in optimizing the thermoelectric performance of materials, particularly by modulating the carrier concentration. However, they typically degrade carrier mobility due to the strong coupling among thermoelectric parameters. To address this limitation, we propose a dual-antisite defects strategy: by introducing donor-acceptor defect pairs to form electrically neutral configurations, carrier scattering can be significantly reduced due to charge compensation. Meanwhile, the presence of these point defects still maintains strong phonon scattering. This approach minimizes the loss of electrical mobility while effectively suppressing lattice thermal conductivity (κ<sub>L</sub>). Using chalcopyrite CuGaTe<sub>2</sub> as a matrix, we incorporated charge-balanced dual-antisite defects (Ag<sub>Ga</sub><sup>″</sup> and In<sub>Cu</sub><sup>··</sup>) via alloying. This type of electrically neutral dual-antisite defects can maintain carrier mobility while increasing carrier concentration and significantly suppresses κ<sub>L</sub> by enhancing phonon scattering through the interaction between alloy disorder scattering induced by In alloying and nanodomains. Remarkably, in Cu<sub>0.7</sub>Ag<sub>0.3</sub>Ga<sub>0.6</sub>In<sub>0.4</sub>Te<sub>2</sub>, a record-high ZT value of 2.03 at 873 K was achieved. This dual-antisite defects strategy provides a new paradigm for defect engineering in thermoelectric materials, enabling the simultaneous optimization of electrical and thermal transport properties and offering a valid pathway toward high-performance thermoelectrics.

Journal of the American Chemical SocietyVol. 148(11)
University of Science and Technology of China (CN), Anhui University (CN), Hefei University of Technology (CN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Qufu Normal University (CN), Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (CN), Hefei National Center for Physical Sciences at Nanoscale (CN), Ministry of Education (IR), Microscale (United States) (US), Advanced Research Institute (US), Institute of Solid State Physics (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 24%
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.