Optimal performance of Cu1.8S1-xTex thermoelectric materials fabricated via high-pressure process at room temperature

Rui ZHANG; Jun PEI; Zhi-Jia HAN; Yin WU; Zhao ZHAO; Bo-Ping ZHANG

doi:10.1007/s40145-020-0385-6

Journal of Advanced Ceramics 2020, 9(5): 535-543 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40145-020-0385-6

Research Article |

Open Access | Issue | Published: 09 July 2020

Optimal performance of Cu_1.8S_1-xTe_x thermoelectric materials fabricated via high-pressure process at room temperature

Show Author's Information Hide Author's Information Rui ZHANG, Jun PEI(

), Zhi-Jia HAN, Yin WU, Zhao ZHAO, Bo-Ping ZHANG(

)

Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China

Keywords:

Cu_1.8S, Te doping, nanostructure, high pressure, thermoelectric (TE)

Cite this article:

ZHANG R, PEI J, HAN Z-J, et al. Optimal performance of Cu_1.8S_1-xTe_x thermoelectric materials fabricated via high-pressure process at room temperature. Journal of Advanced Ceramics, 2020, 9(5): 535-543. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40145-020-0385-6

Download citation

EndNote(RIS)

BibTeX

671

Views

Downloads

Citations

Crossref

N/A

WoS

Scopus

CSCD

Abstract Full text About this article

Abstract

Cu_1.8S has been considered as a potential thermoelectric (TE) material for its stable electrical and thermal properties, environmental benignity, and low cost. Herein, the TE properties of nanostructured Cu_1.8S_1-xTe_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) bulks fabricated by a facile process combining mechanical alloying (MA) and room-temperature high-pressure sintering (RT-HPS) technique were optimized via eliminating the volatilization of S element and suppressing grain growth. Experimentally, a single phase of Cu_1.8S was obtained at x = 0, and a second Cu_1.96S phase formed in all Cu_1.8S_1-xTe_x samples when 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.125. With further increasing x to 0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.2, the Cu_2-zTe phase was detected and the samples consisted of Cu_1.8S, Cu_1.96S, and Cu_2-zTe phases. Benefiting from a modified band structure and the coexisted phases of Cu_1.96S and Cu_2-zTe, the power factor is enhanced in all Cu_1.8S_1-xTe_x (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) alloys. Combining with a drastic decrease in the thermal conductivity due to the strengthened phonon scatterings from multiscale defects introduced by Te doping and nano-grain boundaries, a maximum figure of merit (ZT) of 0.352 is reached at 623 K for Cu_1.8S_0.875Te_0.125, which is 171% higher than that of Cu_1.8S (0.130). The study demonstrates that doping Te is an effective strategy to improve the TE performance of Cu_1.8S based materials and the proposed facile method combing MA and RT-HPS is a potential way to fabricate nanostructured bulks.

Full text

Abstract

Full text

Outline

About this article

Optimal performance of Cu_1.8S_1-xTe_x thermoelectric materials fabricated via high-pressure process at room temperature

Show Author's information Hide Author's Information Rui ZHANG, Jun PEI(

), Zhi-Jia HAN, Yin WU, Zhao ZHAO, Bo-Ping ZHANG(

)

Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China

Abstract

Keywords: Cu_1.8S, Te doping, nanostructure, high pressure, thermoelectric (TE)

References(52)

[1]

LE Bell. Cooling, heating, generating power, and recovering waste heat with thermoelectric systems. Science 2008, 321: 1457-1461.

DOI Google Scholar

[2]

J He, TM Tritt. Advances in thermoelectric materials research: Looking back and moving forward. Science 2017, 357: eaak9997.

DOI Google Scholar

[3]

JF Dong, FH Sun, HC Tang, et al. Medium-temperature thermoelectric GeTe: Vacancy suppression and band structure engineering leading to high performance. Energy Environ Sci 2019, 12: 1396-1403.

DOI Google Scholar

[4]

GJ Snyder, ES Toberer. Complex thermoelectric materials. Nat Mater 2008, 7: 105-114.

DOI Google Scholar

[5]

JF Dong, CF Wu, J Pei, et al. Lead-free MnTe mid-temperature thermoelectric materials: Facile synthesis, p-type doping and transport properties. J Mater Chem C 2018, 6: 4265-4272.

DOI Google Scholar

[6]

J Pei, LJ Zhang, BP Zhang, et al. Enhancing the thermoelectric performance of Ce_xBi₂S₃ by optimizing the carrier concentration combined with band engineering. J Mater Chem C 2017, 5: 12492-12499.

DOI Google Scholar

[7]

ZY Wang, DY Wang, YT Qiu, et al. Realizing high thermoelectric performance of polycrystalline SnS through optimizing carrier concentration and modifying band structure. J Alloys Compd 2019, 789: 485-492.

DOI Google Scholar

[8]

ZH Ge, YX Zhang, DS Song, et al. Excellent ZT achieved in Cu_1.8S thermoelectric alloys through introducing rare- earth trichlorides. J Mater Chem A 2018, 6: 14440-14448.

DOI Google Scholar

[9]

Z Zheng, XL Su, RG Deng, et al. Rhombohedral to cubic conversion of GeTe via MnTe alloying leads to ultralow thermal conductivity, electronic band convergence, and high thermoelectric performance. J Am Chem Soc 2018, 140: 2673-2686.

DOI Google Scholar

[10]

B Gahtori, S Bathula, K Tyagi, et al. Giant enhancement in thermoelectric performance of copper selenide by incorporation of different nanoscale dimensional defect features. Nano Energy 2015, 13: 36-46.

DOI Google Scholar

[11]

HY Xie, XL Su, G Zheng, et al. The role of Zn in chalcopyrite CuFeS₂: Enhanced thermoelectric properties of Cu_1-xZn_xFeS₂ with in situ nanoprecipitates. Adv Energy Mater 2017, 7: 1601299.

DOI Google Scholar

[12]

J Callaway, HC von Baeyer. Effect of point imperfections on lattice thermal conductivity. Phys Rev 1960, 120: 1149.

DOI Google Scholar

[13]

J Li, ZW Chen, XY Zhang, et al. Simultaneous optimization of carrier concentration and alloy scattering for ultrahigh performance GeTe thermoelectrics. Adv Sci 2017, 4: 1700341.

DOI Google Scholar

[14]

SD Sun, PJ Li, SH Liang, et al. Diversified copper sulfide (Cu_2-xS) micro-/nanostructures: A comprehensive review on synthesis, modifications and applications. Nanoscale 2017, 9: 11357-11404.

DOI Google Scholar

[15]

P Qin, ZH Ge, J Feng. Effects of second phases on thermoelectric properties in copper sulfides with Sn addition. J Mater Res 2017, 32: 3029-3037.

DOI Google Scholar

[16]

ZH Ge, XY Liu, D Feng, et al. High-performance thermoelectricity in nanostructured earth-abundant copper sulfides bulk materials. Adv Energy Mater 2016, 6: 1600607.

DOI Google Scholar

[17]

Y He, T Day, TS Zhang, et al. High thermoelectric performance in non-toxic earth-abundant copper sulfide. Adv Mater 2014, 26: 3974-3978.

DOI Google Scholar

[18]

PF Qiu, YQ Zhu, YT Qin, et al. Electrical and thermal transports of binary copper sulfides Cu_xS with x from 1.8 to 1.96. APL Mater 2016, 4: 104805.

DOI Google Scholar

[19]

HC Tang, HL Zhuang, BW Cai, et al. Enhancing the thermoelectric performance of Cu_1.8S by Sb/Sn co-doping and incorporating multiscale defects to scatter heat-carrying phonons. J Mater Chem C 2019, 7: 4026-4031.

DOI Google Scholar

[20]

LL Zhao, XL Wang, FY Fei, et al. High thermoelectric and mechanical performance in highly dense Cu_2-xS bulks prepared by a melt-solidification technique. J Mater Chem A 2015, 3: 9432-9437.

DOI Google Scholar

[21]

G Dennler, R Chmielowski, S Jacob, et al. Are binary copper sulfides/selenides really new and promising thermoelectric materials? Adv Energy Mater 2014, 4: 1301581.

DOI Google Scholar

[22]

DD Liang, BP Zhang, L Zou. Enhanced thermoelectric properties of Cu_1.8S by Ti-doping induced secondary phase. J Alloys Compd 2018, 731: 577-583.

DOI Google Scholar

[23]

YX Zhang, ZH Ge, J Feng. Enhanced thermoelectric properties of Cu_1.8S via introducing Bi₂S₃ and Bi₂S₃@Bi core-shell nanorods. J Alloys Compd 2017, 727: 1076-1082.

DOI Google Scholar

[24]

ZH Ge, X Chong, D Feng, et al. Achieving an excellent thermoelectric performance in nanostructured copper sulfide bulk via a fast doping strategy. Mater Today Phys 2019, 8: 71-77.

DOI Google Scholar

[25]

Y Yao, BP Zhang, J Pei, et al. High thermoelectric figure of merit achieved in Cu₂S_1-xTe_x alloys synthesized by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2018, 10: 32201-32211.

DOI Google Scholar

[26]

LL Zhao, XL Wang, FF Yun, et al. The effects of Te²⁻ and I⁻ substitutions on the electronic structures, thermoelectric performance, and hardness in melt-quenched highly dense Cu_2-xSe. Adv Electron Mater. 2015, 1: 1400015.

DOI Google Scholar

[27]

Q Wang, JH Li, JJ Li. Enhanced thermoelectric performance of Cu₃SbS₄ flower-like hierarchical architectures composed of Cl doped nanoflakes via an in situ generated CuS template. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018, 20: 1460-1475.

DOI Google Scholar

[28]

Q Wang, G Chen, DH Chen, et al. Amine-assisted solution approach for the synthesis and growth mechanism of super-long rough-surfaced Cu₇Te₄ nanobelts. CrystEngComm 2012, 14: 6962-6973.

DOI Google Scholar

[29]

R Zhang, Y Wu, J Pei, et al. Morphology and phase evolution from CuS to Cu_1.8S in a hydrothermal process and thermoelectric properties of Cu_1.8S bulk. CrystEngComm 2019, 21: 5797-5803.

DOI Google Scholar

[30]

P Qin, X Qian, ZH Ge, et al. Improvements of thermoelectric properties for p-type Cu_1.8S bulk materials via optimizing the mechanical alloying process. Inorg Chem Front 2017, 4: 1192-1199.

DOI Google Scholar

[31]

JV Badding. High-pressure synthesis, characterization, and tuning of solid state materials. Annu Rev Mater Sci 1998, 28: 631-658.

DOI Google Scholar

[32]

L Zhu, H Wang, YC Wang, et al. Substitutional alloy of Bi and Te at high pressure. Phys Rev Lett 2011, 106: 145501.

DOI Google Scholar

[33]

LB Wang, L Deng, JM Qin, et al. Enhanced thermoelectric properties of double-filled CoSb₃ via high-pressure regulating. Inorg Chem 2018, 57: 6762-6766.

DOI Google Scholar

[34]

I Wolańska, K Synoradzki, K Ciesielski, et al. Enhanced thermoelectric power factor of half-Heusler solid solution Sc_1-xTm_xNiSb prepared by high-pressure high-temperature sintering method. Mater Chem Phys 2019, 227: 29-35.

DOI Google Scholar

[35]

JH Li, XP Li, BW Cai, et al. Enhanced thermoelectric performance of high pressure synthesized Sb-doped Mg₂Si. J Alloys Compd 2018, 741: 1148-1152.

DOI Google Scholar

[36]

DW Yang, XL Su, YG Yan, et al. Mechanochemical synthesis of high thermoelectric performance bulk Cu₂X (X = S, Se) materials. APL Mater 2016, 4: 116110.

DOI Google Scholar

[37]

Y Yao, BP Zhang, J Pei, et al. Thermoelectric performance enhancement of Cu₂S by Se doping leading to a simultaneous power factor increase and thermal conductivity reduction. J Mater Chem C 2017, 5: 7845-7852.

DOI Google Scholar

[38]

UA Joshi, PA Maggard. CuNb₃O₈: A p-type semiconducting metal oxide photoelectrode. J Phys Chem Lett 2012, 3: 1577-1581.

DOI Google Scholar

[39]

DD Liang, ZH Ge, HZ Li, et al. Enhanced thermoelectric property in superionic conductor Bi-doped Cu_1.8S. J Alloys Compd 2017, 708: 169-174.

DOI Google Scholar

[40]

Y He, TS Zhang, X Shi, et al. High thermoelectric performance in copper telluride. NPG Asia Mater 2015, 7: e210.

DOI Google Scholar

[41]

D Wu, LD Zhao, SQ Hao, et al. Origin of the high performance in GeTe-based thermoelectric materials upon Bi₂Te₃ doping. J Am Chem Soc 2014, 136: 11412-11419.

DOI Google Scholar

[42]

Y Wu, Q Lou, Y Qiu, et al. Highly enhanced thermoelectric properties of nanostructured Bi₂S₃ bulk materials via carrier modification and multi-scale phonon scattering. Inorg Chem Front 2019, 6: 1374-1381.

DOI Google Scholar

[43]

J Pei, BP Zhang, JF Li, et al. Maximizing thermoelectric performance of AgPb_mSbTe_m+2 by optimizing spark plasma sintering temperature. J Alloys Compd 2017, 728: 694-700.

DOI Google Scholar

[44]

L Reijnen, B Meester, A Goossens, et al. Atomic layer deposition of Cu_xS for solar energy conversion. Chem Vap Deposition 2003, 9: 15-20.

DOI Google Scholar

[45]

WG Zeier, A Zevalkink, ZM Gibbs, et al. Thinking like a chemist: Intuition in thermoelectric materials. Angew Chem Int Ed 2016, 55: 6826-6841.

DOI Google Scholar

[46]

MTS Nair, L Guerrero, PK Nair. Conversion of chemically deposited CuS thin films to and by annealing. Semicond Sci Technol 1998, 13: 1164-1169.

DOI Google Scholar

[47]

XY Zhou, YC Yan, X Lu, et al. Routes for high-performance thermoelectric materials. Mater Today 2018, 21: 974-988.

DOI Google Scholar

[48]

KP Zhao, PF Qiu, QF Song, et al. Ultrahigh thermoelectric performance in Cu_2-ySe_0.5S_0.5 liquid-like materials. Mater Today Phys 2017, 1: 14-23.

DOI Google Scholar

[49]

YL Pei, JQ He, JF Li, et al. High thermoelectric performance of oxyselenides: Intrinsically low thermal conductivity of Ca-doped BiCuSeO. NPG Asia Mater 2013, 5: e47.

DOI Google Scholar

[50]

K Kurosaki, A Kosuga, H Muta, et al. Ag₉TiTe₅: A high- performance thermoelectric bulk material with extremely low thermal conductivity. Appl Phys Lett 2005, 87: 061919.

DOI Google Scholar

[51]

ZT Tian, J Garg, K Esfarjani, et al. Phonon conduction in PbSe, PbTe, and PbTe_1-xSe_x from first-principles calculations. Phys Rev B 2012, 85: 184303.

DOI Google Scholar

[52]

TJ Zhu, YT Liu, CG Fu, et al. Compromise and synergy in high-efficiency thermoelectric materials. Adv Mater 2017, 29: 1605884.

DOI Google Scholar

About this article

Publication history

Acknowledgements

Rights and permissions

Publication history

Received: 07 February 2020

Revised: 28 April 2020

Accepted: 08 May 2020

Published: 09 July 2020

Issue date: October 2020

Copyright

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2018YFB0703600) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11474176).

Rights and permissions

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made.

The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder.

To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by/4.0/.