Alkali Ions Retained from Synthesis Govern Microstructure and Transport in Solution-Processed SnSe

Abstract Alkali salts are widely used in solution processing, yet the corresponding cations are often assumed to remain in the liquid phase. Here, we show that alkali ions introduced during the solution synthesis of SnSe are retained through particle isolation and continue to influence the material during subsequent thermal processing, where they shape the evolution of the final polycrystalline material. Different SnSe powders were prepared using Li+, Na+, and K+ precursors, as well as tetramethylammonium (TMA+) precursors as a nonalkali reference for comparison, and all samples were consolidated under identical conditions. Although all three alkali ions were found in the matrix, at grain boundaries, and in segregated nanoscale regions, they partitioned differently and resulted in distinct grain sizes, defect distributions, and therefore transport properties. Li induced the strongest grain size heterogeneity and the lowest energy barriers, Na the best overall balance between carrier concentration and mobility, and K the broadest alkali-rich grain boundary regions along with the strongest interfacial penalty to charge carrier transport. These results show that residual alkali ions are not just remnants of solution synthesis but active determinants of microstructure and thermoelectric performance in SnSe.