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Research Article | Open Access

Superior multiphase interfaces in AgCuTe-based composite with significantly enhanced thermoelectric properties

Wenpei Lia,Zhonghai Yua,Chengyan Liua( )Ying PengbBaoquan FengaJie GaoaGuojing WuaXiaobo BaiaJunliang ChenaXiaoyang WangaLei Miaoa( )
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information Materials, Electronical Information Materials and Devices Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Precision Navigation Technology and Application, School of Information and Communication, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China

† Wenpei Li and Zhonghai Yu contributed equally to this work.

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Abstract

It is common sense that a phase interface (or grain boundary) could be used to scatter phonons in thermoelectric (TE) materials, resulting in low thermal conductivity (κ). However, a large number of impurity phases are always so harmful to the transport of carriers that poor TE performance is obtained. Here, we demonstrate that numerous superior multiphase (AgCuTe, Ag2Te, copper telluride (Cu2Te and Cu2−xTe), and nickel telluride (NiTe)) interfaces with simultaneous strong phonon scattering and weak electron scattering could be realized in AgCuTe-based TE materials. Owing to the similar chemical bonds in these phases, the depletion region at phase interfaces, which acts as carrier scattering centers, could be ignored. Therefore, the power factor (PF) is obviously enhanced from ~609 to ~832 μW·m−1·K−2, and κ is simultaneously decreased from ~0.52 to ~0.43 W·m−1·K−1 at 636 K. Finally, a peak figure of merit (zT) of ~1.23 at 636 K and an average zT (zTavg) of ~1.12 in the temperature range of 523–623 K are achieved, which are one of the best values among the AgCuTe-based TE materials. This study could provide new guidance to enhance the performance by designing superior multiphase interfaces in the TE materials.

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Journal of Advanced Ceramics
Pages 1511-1520
Cite this article:
Li W, Yu Z, Liu C, et al. Superior multiphase interfaces in AgCuTe-based composite with significantly enhanced thermoelectric properties. Journal of Advanced Ceramics, 2023, 12(8): 1511-1520. https://doi.org/10.26599/JAC.2023.9220768

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Received: 31 March 2023
Revised: 02 May 2023
Accepted: 18 May 2023
Published: 14 July 2023
© The Author(s) 2023.

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