Achieving ZT=2.2 with Bi-doped n-type SnSe single crystals

Nat Commun. 2016 Dec 12:7:13713. doi: 10.1038/ncomms13713.

Abstract

Recently SnSe, a layered chalcogenide material, has attracted a great deal of attention for its excellent p-type thermoelectric property showing a remarkable ZT value of 2.6 at 923 K. For thermoelectric device applications, it is necessary to have n-type materials with comparable ZT value. Here, we report that n-type SnSe single crystals were successfully synthesized by substituting Bi at Sn sites. In addition, it was found that the carrier concentration increases with Bi content, which has a great influence on the thermoelectric properties of n-type SnSe single crystals. Indeed, we achieved the maximum ZT value of 2.2 along b axis at 733 K in the most highly doped n-type SnSe with a carrier density of -2.1 × 1019 cm-3 at 773 K.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't