{"title":"Enhancing the Thermoelectric and Mechanical Properties of p-Type PbS through Band Convergence and Microstructure Regulation","authors":"Mengyao Li, Xueke Zhao, Dongyang Wang*, Xu Han, Dawei Yang, Benteng Wu, Hongzhang Song, Mochen Jia*, Yu Liu, Jordi Arbiol and Andreu Cabot*, ","doi":"10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c02058","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p >While lead sulfide shows notable thermoelectric properties, its production costs remain high, and its mechanical hardness is low, which constrains its commercial viability. Herein, we demonstrate a straightforward and cost-effective method to produce PbS nanocrystals at ambient temperature. By introducing controlled amounts of silver, we achieve p-type conductivity and fine-tune the energy band structure and lattice configuration. Computational results show that silver shifts the Fermi level into the valence band, facilitating band convergence and thereby enhancing the power factor. Besides, excess silver is present as silver sulfide, which effectively diminishes the interface barrier and enhances the Seebeck coefficient. Defects caused by doping, along with dislocations and interfaces, reduce thermal conductivity to 0.49 W m<sup>–1</sup> K<sup>–1</sup> at 690 K. Moreover, the alterations in crystal structure and chemical composition enhance the PbS mechanical properties. Overall, optimized materials show thermoelectric figures of merit approximately 10-fold higher than that of pristine PbS, alongside an average hardness of 1.08 GPa.</p>","PeriodicalId":53,"journal":{"name":"Nano Letters","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":9.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nano Letters","FirstCategoryId":"88","ListUrlMain":"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c02058","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
While lead sulfide shows notable thermoelectric properties, its production costs remain high, and its mechanical hardness is low, which constrains its commercial viability. Herein, we demonstrate a straightforward and cost-effective method to produce PbS nanocrystals at ambient temperature. By introducing controlled amounts of silver, we achieve p-type conductivity and fine-tune the energy band structure and lattice configuration. Computational results show that silver shifts the Fermi level into the valence band, facilitating band convergence and thereby enhancing the power factor. Besides, excess silver is present as silver sulfide, which effectively diminishes the interface barrier and enhances the Seebeck coefficient. Defects caused by doping, along with dislocations and interfaces, reduce thermal conductivity to 0.49 W m–1 K–1 at 690 K. Moreover, the alterations in crystal structure and chemical composition enhance the PbS mechanical properties. Overall, optimized materials show thermoelectric figures of merit approximately 10-fold higher than that of pristine PbS, alongside an average hardness of 1.08 GPa.
期刊介绍:
Nano Letters serves as a dynamic platform for promptly disseminating original results in fundamental, applied, and emerging research across all facets of nanoscience and nanotechnology. A pivotal criterion for inclusion within Nano Letters is the convergence of at least two different areas or disciplines, ensuring a rich interdisciplinary scope. The journal is dedicated to fostering exploration in diverse areas, including:
- Experimental and theoretical findings on physical, chemical, and biological phenomena at the nanoscale
- Synthesis, characterization, and processing of organic, inorganic, polymer, and hybrid nanomaterials through physical, chemical, and biological methodologies
- Modeling and simulation of synthetic, assembly, and interaction processes
- Realization of integrated nanostructures and nano-engineered devices exhibiting advanced performance
- Applications of nanoscale materials in living and environmental systems
Nano Letters is committed to advancing and showcasing groundbreaking research that intersects various domains, fostering innovation and collaboration in the ever-evolving field of nanoscience and nanotechnology.