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In this article we report a facile, highly energy-efficient synthesis route for the fabrication of nanostructured bulk thermoelectric copper selenide (Cu 2 Se). Using microwave-assisted thermolysis, nanopowders of Cu 2 Se were produced starting from commonly available precursor 2 materials. Optimized compaction parameters were achieved through an investigation of different factors in the compaction process to achieve enhanced thermoelectric properties. The high ZT value of 2 obtained at 900 K for optimized SPS-compacted Cu 2 Se nanopowders exceeds the state of the art Cu 2 Se by 25% at the same temperature. The results demonstrate the prominent improvement in ZT attributed both to the low thermal conductivity, as low as 0.38 W/m-K at 900 K, and the enhancement in the power factor of nanostructured Cu 2 Se.

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