Promising bulk nanostructured Cu₂Se thermoelectrics via high throughput and rapid chemical synthesis

Abstract

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.

Promising and Eco‐Friendly Cu2X‐Based Thermoelectric Materials: Progress and Applications

“…However, deriving from simultaneously deteriorated carrier transport properties, the zT values cannot be effectively enhanced, as shown in Figure d. Similar influence of nanoengineering in Cu 2 S has also been found . Although nanoengineering can effectively reduce κ l of Cu 2 Se, high crystallinity is important for maintaining high electrical performance in nanoengineered Cu 2 Se and subsequently a high zT.…”

Doping Effect on Cu2Se Thermoelectric Performance: A Review

“…What’s more, other factors like different synthesis methods are also worthy of discussion. Cu 2 Se fabricated through different synthesis methods can possess a ZT value with enormous difference, due to the difference in nano- or micro-structures [ 91 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 ]. Choosing a proper synthesis method may have an unexpected effect on the final TE performance of Cu 2 Se.…”

Composition Tuning of Nanostructured Binary Copper Selenides through Rapid Chemical Synthesis and Their Thermoelectric Property Evaluation

“…Recent studies show that synthesis route may dramatically influence and contribute to TE properties of nanomaterials [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Among these methods, solvothermal, thermolysis [ 22 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ] melting and annealing [ 24 , 26 , 33 , 34 ], mechanical alloying [ 35 , 36 , 37 ], co-precipitation and solution reduction [ 38 ], and microwave (MW)-assisted synthesis [ 14 , 32 , 39 ] have been reported in recent decades. MW-assisted synthesis has been reported for the synthesis of (BiSb) 2 (TeSe) 3 systems, where the produced quantities per batch have been rather limited.…”