@article{Pan2025, 
author = {Guilong Pan and Fanshi Wu and Jiale Zhang and Wanjia Zhang and Jiao Li and Xiaoqing Lu and Xiyang Wang and Zhan Shi and Biao Xu and Yue Lou},
title = {High-ion-conductive zeolite X with built-in < 1 nm 3D pores achieving superior thermoelectric performance},
year = {2025},
journal = {Nano Research},
volume = {18},
number = {6},
pages = {94907386},
keywords = {thermoelectric materials, p-type Bi0.4Sb1.6Te, high-ion-conductive zeolite X, < 1 nm three-dimensional (3D) pores},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NR.2025.94907386},
doi = {10.26599/NR.2025.94907386},
abstract = {The complex coupling between thermoelectric parameters makes it extremely challenging to improve the performance of materials. Typically, the reduction of thermal conductivity by incorporating porous structures often leads to a compromise in electrical conductivity. Herein, we present high-ion-conductive zeolite X (including Na-, Ca-, and Li-low silica type-X (LSX)) as the subnanoporous additive in the Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 (BST) matrix. Owing to the high pore charge density of zeolite X, the decrease in conductivity is effectively suppressed while maintaining a low thermal conductivity. Positively charged metal cation (M+) and valence electron of oxygen atom in aluminum-oxide tetrahedron of zeolite X achieve charge balance. Cationic with different electronegativity regulated electrons of oxygen atom transferred from the oxygen atoms to the BST matrix. The lower electronegativity of Na+ leads to a higher electron density surrounding oxygen atoms in Na-LSX. Thus, more electrons are transferred to the BST matrix from the oxygen atoms in Na-LSX and form Te–O bonds. Ultimately, the figure-of-merit (ZT) peak of BST/0.8 wt.% Na-LSX nanocomposites reached 1.47 at 373 K, with a huge cooling temperature difference of 69.4 K and an excellent thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 6.95%. This work exploits the stable and unique three-dimensional pore structure of X-type molecular sieves, broadening their potential application in the thermoelectric medium temperature range.}
}