Abstract
The Cu2CdSnSe4nanocrystallites with sizes ranging from 20 to 30 nm were prepared via colloidal synthesis, while the Cu2CdSnSe4matrix was made by the traditional solid state reaction method. It is found that nanocrystallite inclusions strongly enhance electrical conductivity while preserving the Seebeck coefficient. In addition, these inclusions significantly reduce the lattice thermal conductivity through scattering phonons with all-scale length due to the polymorphous structure feature of Cu2CdSnSe4composites. These concomitant effects result in an enhanced thermoelectric performance with the dimensionless figure of merit ZT reaching a peak value of 0.5 at 760 K, which is a 65% improvement compared to that of the pure Cu2CdSnSe4matrix. These observations demonstrate an exciting scientific opportunity to raise the figure of merit via ex-situ homogeneous nanoinclusions, not only for quaternary chalcogenides but also for other promising thermoelectric materials.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 179-186 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Materiomics |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2016 |
Keywords
- Homogeneous inclusions
- Phonon scattering
- Quaternary chalcogenide
- Thermoelectric performance
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Metals and Alloys