Multiple Valence Bands Convergence and Localized Lattice Engineering Lead to Superhigh Thermoelectric Figure of Merit in MnTe

Advanced Science, vol. 10, pp. e2206342

Abstract

Abstract MnTe has been considered a promising candidate for lead‐free mid‐temperature range thermoelectric clean energy conversions. However, the widespread use of this technology is constrained by the relatively low‐cost performance of materials. Developing environmentally friendly thermoelectrics with high performance and earth‐abundant elements is thus an urgent task. MnTe is a candidate, yet a peak ZT of 1.4 achieved so far is less satisfactory. Here, a remarkably high ZT of 1.6 at 873 K in MnTe system is realized by facilitating multiple valence band convergence and localized lattice engineering. It is demonstrated that SbGe incorporation promotes the convergence of multiple electronic valence bands in MnTe. Simultaneously, the carrier concentration can be optimized by SbGeS alloying, which significantly enhances the power factor. Simultaneously, MnS nanorods combined with dislocations and lattice distortions lead to strong phonon scattering, resulting in a markedly low lattice thermal conductivity(κlat) of 0.54 W m K−1, quite close to the amorphous limit. As a consequence, extraordinary thermoelectric performance is achieved by decoupling electron and phonon transport. The vast increase in ZT promotes MnTe as an emerging Pb‐free thermoelectric compound for a wide range of applications in waste heat recovery and power generation.

Authors 12

1. Shahzada Zulkifal

   Nanjing University of Science and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanjing University of Science and Technology Nanjing 210094 P. R. China

   MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094 P. R. China

2. Zhichao Wang

   Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures · National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures · Nanjing University

   Affiliation as printed

   National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures Nanjing University Nanjing 210093 P. R. China

   National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Collaborative, Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 P. R. China

3. Xuemei Zhang

   Chinese Academy of Sciences · Institute of Solid State Physics

   Affiliation as printed

   Key Laboratory of Materials Physics Institute of Solid State Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Hefei 230031 P. R. China

   Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031 P. R. China

4. Suniya Siddique

   Nanjing University of Science and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanjing University of Science and Technology Nanjing 210094 P. R. China

   MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094 P. R. China

5. Yuan Yu Aachen Institute of Physics IA

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physics IA RWTH Aachen University 52056 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Physics IA, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany

6. Chong Wang

   Nanjing University of Science and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanjing University of Science and Technology Nanjing 210094 P. R. China

   MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094 P. R. China

7. Yaru Gong

   Nanjing University of Science and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanjing University of Science and Technology Nanjing 210094 P. R. China

   MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094 P. R. China

8. Shuang long Li

   Nanjing University of Science and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanjing University of Science and Technology Nanjing 210094 P. R. China

   MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094 P. R. China

9. Di Li

   Chinese Academy of Sciences · Institute of Solid State Physics

   Affiliation as printed

   Key Laboratory of Materials Physics Institute of Solid State Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Hefei 230031 P. R. China

   Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031 P. R. China

10. Yongsheng Zhang corresponding

    Qufu Normal University

    Affiliation as printed

    Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Sciences Qufu Normal University Qufu Shandong Province 273165 P. R. China

    Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province, 273165 P. R. China

11. Peng Wang corresponding

    Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures · National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures · Nanjing University

    Affiliation as printed

    National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures Nanjing University Nanjing 210093 P. R. China

    National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Collaborative, Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 P. R. China

12. Guodong Tang corresponding

    Nanjing University of Science and Technology

    Affiliation as printed

    MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanjing University of Science and Technology Nanjing 210094 P. R. China

    MIIT Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic and Intermetallic Materials Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094 P. R. China