TY  - JOUR
AU  - Chen, Lulu
AU  - Cai, Jianfeng
AU  - Zhang, Zongwei
AU  - Yuan, Minhui
AU  - Yang, Ailong
AU  - Han, Chenhao
AU  - Zhang, Rensheng
AU  - Wu, Jiehua
AU  - Tan, Xiaojian
AU  - Liu, Guoqiang
AU  - Jiang, Jun
PY  - 2026
TI  - Stable high-performance n-type PbTe enabled by lattice engineering for robust thermoelectric modules
JO  - Journal of Materiomics
SN  - 2352-8478
VL  - 12
IS  - 3
AB  - P-type PbTe is one of the most representative high-performance thermoelectric materials, while the conversion efficiency of the fabricated module is limited by the relatively low zT of n-type PbTe. Here, we report the optimization of Cu-doped n-type PbTe by tuning the ionic migration energy, aiming for the high-efficiency and robust modules. It is revealed that the strategy of lattice contraction, achieved by Ge/Se co-doping, preserves the excellent carrier mobility from interstitial Cu and suppresses the unstable transport at high temperature. In the optimized sample of Pb0.94Ge0.06Cu0.02Se0.04Te0.96, a superior average zT (300–823 K) of 1.04 and a high peak zT of 1.45 at 823 K are obtained. A remarkable conversion efficiency of 10.5% at a temperature difference of 500 K is achieved in the fabricated PbTe-based module.
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmat.2026.101204
DO  - 10.1016/j.jmat.2026.101204