Thermoelectric Performance of Surface-Engineered Cu1.5-xTe-Cu2Se Nanocomposites

Cu2-xS and Cu2-xSe have recently been reported as promising thermoelectric (TE) materials for medium-temperature applications. In contrast, Cu2-xTe, another member of the copper chalcogenide family, typically exhibits low Seebeck coefficients that limit its potential to achieve a superior thermoelectric figure of merit, zT, particularly in the low-temperature range where this material could be effective. To address this, we investigated the TE performance of Cu1.5-xTe-Cu2Se nanocomposites by consolidating surface-engineered Cu1.5Te nanocrystals. This surface engineering strategy allows for precise adjustment of Cu/Te ratios and results in a reversible phase transition at around 600 K in Cu1.5-xTe-Cu2Se nanocomposites, as systematically confirmed by in situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction combined with differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The phase transition leads to a conversion from metallic-like to semiconducting-like TE properties. Additionally, a layer of Cu2Se generated around Cu1.5-xTe nanoparticles effectively inhibits Cu1.5-xTe grain growth, minimizing thermal conductivity and decreasing hole concentration. These properties indicate that copper telluride based compounds have a promising thermoelectric potential, translated into a high dimensionless zT of 1.3 at 560 K.

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Work Title Thermoelectric Performance of Surface-Engineered Cu1.5-xTe-Cu2Se Nanocomposites
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Congcong Xing
  2. Yu Zhang
  3. Ke Xiao
  4. Xu Han
  5. Yu Liu
  6. Bingfei Nan
  7. Maria Garcia Ramon
  8. Khak Ho Lim
  9. Junshan Li
  10. Jordi Arbiol
  11. Bed Poudel
  12. Amin Nozariasbmarz
  13. Wenjie Li
  14. Maria Ibáñez
  15. Andreu Cabot
Keyword
  1. Copper telluride
  2. Nanoparticles
  3. Surface engineering
  4. Phase transition
  5. Thermoelectric
  6. Grain size
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. ACS Nano
Publication Date April 18, 2023
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c00495
Deposited December 19, 2023

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Added Thermoelectric_Performance_of_Surface_Engineered_Cu1.5-xTeCu2Se_nanocomposites.pdf
  • Added Creator Congcong Xing
  • Added Creator Yu Zhang
  • Added Creator Ke Xiao
  • Added Creator Xu Han
  • Added Creator Yu Liu
  • Added Creator Bingfei Nan
  • Added Creator Maria Garcia Ramon
  • Added Creator Khak Ho Lim
  • Added Creator Junshan Li
  • Added Creator Jordi Arbiol
  • Added Creator Bed Poudel
  • Added Creator Amin Nozariasbmarz
  • Added Creator Wenjie Li
  • Added Creator Maria Ibáñez
  • Added Creator Andreu Cabot
  • Published
  • Updated Work Title, Keyword Show Changes
    Work Title
    • Thermoelectric Performance of Surface-Engineered Cu<sub>1.5-x</sub>Te-Cu<sub>2</sub>Se Nanocomposites
    • Thermoelectric Performance of Surface-Engineered Cu1.5-xTe-Cu2Se Nanocomposites
    Keyword
    • Copper telluride, Nanoparticles, Surface engineering, Phase transition, Thermoelectric, Grain size
  • Updated