Thermoelectric performance of XI2 (X = Ge,Sn, Pb) bilayers

We study the thermal and electronic transport properties as well as the thermoelectric (TE) performance of three two-dimensional (2D) XI₂ (X=Ge, Sn, Pb) bilayers using density functional theory and Boltzmann transport theory. We compared the lattice thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) for the XI₂ monolayers and bilayers. Our results show that the lattice thermal conductivity at room temperature for the bilayers is as low as ~1.1 W·m^{-1·K-1-1.7 W}·m^{-1·K-1, which is about 1.6 times as large as the monolayers for all the three materials. Electronic structure calculations show that all the} XI₂ bilayers are indirect-gap semiconductors with the band gap values between 1.84 eV and 1.96 eV at PBE level, which is similar as the corresponding monolayers. The calculated results of ZT show that the bilayer structures display much less direction-dependent TE efficiency and have much larger n-type ZT values compared with the monolayers. The dramatic difference between the monolayer and bilayer indicates that the inter-layer interaction plays an important role in the TE performance of XI₂, which provides the tunability on their TE characteristics.     

Tuning transport coefficients of monolayer MoSi_2N_4 with biaxial strain

Experimentally synthesized MoSi_2N_4(Science 369 670(2020)) is a piezoelectric semiconductor. Here, we systematically study the large biaxial(isotropic) strain effects(0.90–1.10) on electronic structures and transport coefficients of monolayer MoSi_2N_4 by density functional theory(DFT). With a/a0 from 0.90 to 1.10, the energy band gap firstly increases, and then decreases, which is due to transformation of conduction band minimum(CBM). Calculated results show that the MoSi_2N_4 monolayer is mechanically stable in the considered strain range. It is found that the spin-orbital coupling(SOC) effects on Seebeck coefficient depend on the strain. In unstrained MoSi_2N_4, the SOC has neglected influence on Seebeck coefficient. However, the SOC can produce important influence on Seebeck coefficient, when the strain is applied,for example, 0.96 strain. The compressive strain can change relative position and numbers of conduction band extrema(CBE), and then the strength of conduction bands convergence can be enhanced, to the benefit of n-type ZT_e. Only about0.96 strain can effectively improve n-type ZT_e. Our works imply that strain can effectively tune the electronic structures and transport coefficients of monolayer MoSi_2N_4, and can motivate farther experimental exploration.     

Energy band and charge-carrier engineering in skutterudite thermoelectric materials

The binary CoSb₃ skutterudite thermoelectric material has high thermal conductivity due to the covalent bond between Co and Sb, and the thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, is very low. The thermal conductivity of CoSb₃ materials can be significantly reduced through phonon engineering, such as low-dimensional structure, the introduction of nano second phases, nanointerfaces or nanopores, which greatly improves their ZT values. The phonon engineering can optimize significantly the thermal transport properties of CoSb₃-based materials. However, the improvement of the electronic transport properties is not obvious, or even worse. Energy band and charge-carrier engineering can significantly improve the electronic transport properties of CoSb₃-based materials while optimizing the thermal transport properties. Therefore, the decoupling of thermal and electronic transport properties of CoSb₃-based materials can be realized by energy band and charge-carrier engineering. This review summarizes some methods of optimizing synergistically the electronic and thermal transport properties of CoSb₃ materials through the energy band and charge-carrier engineering strategies. Energy band engineering strategies include band convergence or resonant energy levels caused by doping/filling. The charge-carrier engineering strategy includes the optimization of carrier concentration and mobility caused by doping/filling, forming modulation doped structures or introducing nano second phase. These strategies are effective means to improve performance of thermoelectric materials and provide new research ideas of development of high-efficiency thermoelectric materials.     

Anisotropic thermoelectric transport properties in polycrystalline SnSe_2

It is reported that SnSe_2 consisting of the same elements as SnSe, is a new promising thermoelectric material with advantageous layered structure. In this work, the thermoelectric performance of polycrystalline SnSe_2 is improved through introducing SnSe phase and electron doping(Cl doped in Se sites). The anisotropic transport properties of SnSe_2 are investigated. A great reduction of the thermal conductivity is achieved in SnSe_2 through introducing SnSe phase, which mainly results from the strong SnSe_2–SnSe inter-phase scattering. Then the carrier concentration is optimized via Cl doping, leading to a great enhancement of the electrical transport properties, thus an extraordinary power factor of ～5.12 μW·cm~(-1)·K~(-2) is achieved along the direction parallel to the spark plasma sintering(SPS) pressure direction( P). Through the comprehensive consideration on the anisotropic thermoelectric transport properties, an enhanced figure of merit ZT is attained and reaches to ～ 0.6 at 773 K in SnSe_2-2% SnSe after 5% Cl doping along the P direction, which is much higher than ～ 0.13 and ～ 0.09 obtained in SnSe_2-2% SnSe and pristine SnSe_2 samples, respectively.     

N-type core-shell heterostructured Bi2S3@Bi nanorods/polyaniline hybrids for stretchable thermoelectric generator

With the growing need on distributed power supply for portable electronics,energy harvesting from environment becomes a promising solution.Organic thermoelectric(TE)materials have advantages in intrinsic flexibility and low thermal conductivity,thus hold great prospect in applications as a flexible power generator from dissipated heat.Nevertheless,the weak electrical transport behaviors of organic TE materials have severely impeded their development.Moreover,compared with p-type organic TE materials,stable and high-performance n-type counterparts are more difficult to obtain.Here,we developed a n-type polyaniline-based hybrid with core-shell heterostructured Bi;S;@Bi nanorods as fillers,showing a Seebeck coefficient-159.4μV/K at room temperature.Further,a couple of n/p legs from the PANI-based hybrids were integrated into an elastomer substrate forming a stretchable thermoelectric generator(TEG),whose function to output stable voltages responding to temperature differences has been demonstrated.The in situ output performance of the TEG under stretching could withstand up to 75%elongation,and stability test showed little degradation over a one-month period in the air.This study provides a promising strategy to develop stable and high thermopower organic TEGs harvesting heat from environment as long-term power supply.     

Ge掺杂n型Sn基Ⅷ型单晶笼合物的制备及热电传输特性

采用Sn自熔剂法制备了具有n型传导的Ⅷ型Ba₈Ga_16-xGe_xSn₃₀ （0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0）单晶笼合物,并对其结构和热电特性进行研究. 研究结果表明：Ge在单晶中的实际含量较少,随着掺杂量的增加样品的晶格常数略有减小,Ge掺杂后样品的载流子浓度较掺杂前低,迁移率增加;所有样品的Seebeck系数均为负值,且绝对值较未掺杂样品低,但Ge掺杂后样品的电导率提高了62%;x=0.5的样品在500 K附近取得最大ZT值1.25. 关键词： Ⅷ型笼合物 n型传导 热电性能     

Electron delocalization enhances the thermoelectric performance of misfit layer compound (Sn1-xBixS)1.2(TiS2)2

The misfit layer compound (SnS)_1.2(TiS₂)₂ is a promising low-cost thermoelectric material because of its low thermal conductivity derived from the superlattice-like structure. However, the strong covalent bonds within each constituent layer highly localize the electrons thereby it is highly challenging to optimize the power factor by doping or alloying. Here, we show that Bi doping at the Sn site markedly breaks the covalent bonds networks and highly delocalizes the electrons. This results in a high charge carrier concentration and enhanced power factor throughout the whole temperature range. It is highly remarkable that Bi doping also significantly reduces the thermal conductivity by suppressing the heat conduction carried by phonons, indicating that it independently modulates phonon and charge transport properties. These effects collectively give rise to a maximum ZT of 0.3 at 720 K. In addition, we apply the single Kane band model and the Debye-Callaway model to clarify the electron and phonon transport mechanisms in the misfit layer compound (SnS)_1.2(TiS₂)₂.     

Ga掺杂对Cu_3SbSe_4热电性能的影响

采用熔融-淬火方法制备了Cu_(2.95)Ga_xSb_(1-x)Se_4(x=0,0.01,0.02和0.04)样品,系统地研究了Ga在Sb位掺杂对Cu_3SbSe_4热电性能的影响.研究结果表明,少量的Ga掺杂(x=0.01)可以有效提高空穴浓度,抑制本征激发,改善样品的电输运性能.掺Ga样品在625 K时功率因子达到最大值10μW/cm·K~2,比未掺Ga的Cu_(2.95)SbSe_4样品提高了约一倍.但是随着Ga掺杂浓度的进一步提高,缺陷对载流子的散射增强,同时载流子有效质量增大,导致载流子迁移率急剧下降.因此Ga含量增加反而使样品的电性能恶化.在热输运方面,Ga掺杂可以有效降低双极扩散对热导率的贡献,同时掺杂引入的点缺陷对高频声子有较强的散射作用,因此高温区的热导率明显降低.最终该体系在664 K时获得最大ZT值0.53,比未掺Ga的样品提高了近50%.     

Ca2+掺杂对CdO多晶热电性能的影响

以CaCO₃作为Ca²⁺源, 利用传统固相烧结法制备了Cd_1-xCa_xO (x=0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) 多晶块体样品并研究了Ca²⁺掺杂对CdO高温热电性能的影响. CaCO₃的掺入会导致CdO多晶载流子浓度降低, 使Cd_1-xCa_xO的电阻率ρ和塞贝克系数的绝对值|S|增大、电子热导率κ_e减小. 同时, 在CdO中掺入CaCO₃会引入点缺陷和气孔并可抑制CdO晶粒长大、晶界增多, 从而增加了对声子的散射, 使样品的声子热导率κ_p减小. 由于总热导率的大幅降低, Cd_0.99Ca_0.01O多晶样品在1000 K时的热电优值ZT可达0.42, 比本征CdO提高了约27%, 为迄今n型氧化物热电材料报道的最好结果之一.     

Raman characterization of passivated GaAs surfaces

The technique of Raman scattering at room temperature, is used to investigate the effect of H₂S passivation of the surface of n-type GaAs. Well-defined LO, L^- and L⁺ features are distinguished in spectra which have been recorded in z(x, y)[ovbar|zovbar] scatte ring orientation. It is observed that the ratio of the LO to L^- peak is reduced by the effects of the passivation process and that the shift of the L⁺ feature from the laser line is decreased. This latter effect, it is suggested, is caused by a decrease in free-carrier concentration due to donor neutralization by hydrogen during passivation. This neutralization effect will also affect the LO to L^- ratio and so complicate a quantitative analysis of the influence of passivation on the surface barrier potential.     

High temperature susceptibility of semimagnetic-semiconductor Zn1-xMnxS

This paper gives an analysis of the high temperature susceptibility of diluted semimagnetic-semiconductor Zn_{1 − x}Mn_xS. The high-temperature susceptibility of Zn_{1 − x}Mn_xS was found to behave in accordance with the Curie-Weiss law. From _χ(T) measurements the exchange integral of Mn²⁺ -Mn²⁺ interaction 2J₁/k_B = (-34.6±0.5) K (effective exchange integral) was obtained. A spin S = 2.6±0.1, close to its atomic value S = , was also found. The role of the superexchange in this alloy is shortly discussed at the end of the paper.     

Electrons and holes in undoped Nd2CuO4

Nd₂CuO_4±δ is the non-superconducting prototype of the Re_2−xM_xCuO₄t−y family (Re=Pr, Nd, Sm and M=Ceor Th) of n-type oxide superconductors. Four-probe DC conductivity, EMF in P(O₂) gradient, and thermopower measurements have been used to characterise its electric transport and defect structure between 300 and 900°C and between 5×10⁻⁴ and 1 atm oxygen partial pressure.

The results show that Nd₂CuO_4±δ can be oxygen under-stoichiometric (with n-type conductivity), near-stoichiometric, and over-stoichiometric (with p-type conductivity) in different T, P(O₂) ranges.     

Stability,electronic structure,and optical properties of lead-free perovskite monolayer Cs3B2X9(B=Sb,Bi;X=Cl,Br,I)and bilayer vertical heterostructure Cs3B2X9/Cs3B’2X9(B,B’=Sb,Bi;X=Cl,Br,I)

The lead-free perovskites Cs₃B₂X₉(B=Sb,Bi;X=Cl,Br,I)as the popular photoelectric materials have excellent optical properties with lower toxicity.In this study,we systematically investigate the stable monolayer Cs₃B₂X₉and bilayer vertical heterostructure Cs₃B₂X₉/Cs3B02X9(B,B0=Sb,Bi;X=Cl,Br,I)via first-principles simulations.By exploring the electrical structures and band edge positions,we find the band gap reduction and the band type transition in the heterostructure Cs₃B₂X₉/Cs3B02X9 due to the charge transfer between layers.Furthermore,the results of optical properties reveal light absorption from the visible light to UV region,especially monolayer Cs3Sb2I9 and heterostructure Cs3Sb2I9/Cs3Bi2I9,which have absorption peaks in the visible light region,leading to the possibility of photocatalytic water splitting.These results provide insights for more two-dimensional semiconductors applied in the optoelectronic and photocatalytic fields.     

Facile fabrication of highly flexible,porous PEDOT: PSS/SWCNTs films for thermoelectric applications

High-performance organic composite thermoelectric(TE)materials are considered as a promising alternative for harvesting heat energy.Herein,composite films of poly(3,4-ethyienedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)/single-walled carbon nanotubes(PEDOT:PSS/SWCNTs)were fabricated by utilizing a convenient solution mixing method.Thereafter,the as-prepared hybrid films were treated using sulfuric acid(H₂SO₄)to further optimize the TE performance.Film morphological studies revealed that the sulfuric acid treated PEDOT:PSS/SWCNTs composite samples all possessed porous structures.Due to the successful fabrication of highly conductive networks,the porous nano-architecture also exhibited much more excellent TE properties when compared with the dense structure of the pristine samples.For the post-treated sample,a high power factor of 156.43μW·m^-1·K^-2can be achieved by adjusting the content of CNTs,which is approximately 3 orders of magnitude higher than that of the corresponding untreated samples(0.23μW·m^-1·K^-2).Besides,the obtained films also showed excellent mechanical flexibility,owing to the porous nanostructure and the strong p–p interactions between the two components.This work indicates that the H₂SO₄ treatment could be a promising strategy for fabricating highly-flexible and porous PEDOT:PSS/SWCNTs films with high TE performances.     

Electronic and thermoelectric properties of Mg_2Ge_xSn-_(1-x)(x=0.25,0.50,0.75) solid solutions by first-principles calculations

The electronic structure and thermoelectric(TE) properties of Mg_2Ge_xSn_(1-x)(x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) solid solutions are investigated by first-principles calculations and semi-classical Boltzmann theory. The special quasi-random structure(SQS) is used to model the solid solutions, which can produce reasonable band gaps with respect to experimental results.The n-type solid solutions have an excellent thermoelectric performance with maximum zT values exceeding 2.0, where the combination of low lattice thermal conductivity and high power factor(PF) plays an important role. These values are higher than those of pure Mg_2Sn and Mg_2Ge. The p-type solid solutions are inferior to the n-type ones, mainly due to the much lower PF. The maximum zT value of 0.62 is predicted for p-type Mg_2Ge_(0.25)Sn_(0.75) at 800K. The results suggest that the n-type Mg_2Ge_xSn_(1-x) solid solutions are promising mid-temperature TE materials.     

TiS2-graphene heterostructures enabling polysulfide anchoring and fast electrocatalyst for lithium-sulfur batteries: A first-principles calculation

Lithium-sulfur batteries have attracted attention because of their high energy density. However, the "shuttle effect" caused by the dissolving of polysulfide in the electrolyte has greatly hindered the widespread commercial use of lithium-sulfur batteries. In this paper, a novel two-dimensional TiS₂/graphene heterostructure is theoretically designed as the anchoring material for lithium-sulfur batteries to suppress the shuttle effect. This heterostructure formed by the stacking of graphene and TiS₂ monolayer is the van der Waals type, which retains the intrinsic metallic electronic structure of graphene and TiS₂ monolayer. Graphene improves the electronic conductivity of the sulfur cathode, and the transferred electrons from graphene enhance the polarity of the TiS₂ monolayer. Simulations of the polysulfide adsorption show that the TiS₂/graphene heterostructure can maintain good metallic properties and the appropriate adsorption energies of 0.98-3.72 eV, which can effectively anchor polysulfides. Charge transfer analysis suggests that further enhancement of polarity is beneficial to reduce the high proportion of van der Waals (vdW) force in the adsorption energy, thereby further enhancing the anchoring ability. Low Li₂S decomposition barrier and Li-ion migration barrier imply that the heterostructure has the ability to catalyze fast electrochemical kinetic processes. Therefore, TiS₂/graphene heterostructure could be an important candidate for ideal anchoring materials of lithium-sulfur batteries.     

Cd_(0.96)Zn_(0.04)S/Cd_(0.97)Mn_(0.03)S/Cd_(0.96)Zn_(0.04)S多层纳米线中s-d交换作用的研究

以氧化铝纳米孔为模板,采用直流电化学沉积的方法制备了Cd_(0.96)Zn_(0.04)S/Cd_(0.97)Mn_(0.03)S/Cd_(0.96)Zn_(0.04)S量子阱纳米线阵列,并系统研究了该纳米线阵列在不同温度和不同磁场下的电学输运特性.随着外磁场的变化,样品表现出共振传输特性.通过量子阱理论对实验现象进行了分析,直接得到了稀磁层Cd_(0.97)Mn_(0.03)S中s-d交换作用常数N_0α的定量结果.研究发现该交换作用常数随温度具有e~(-1/T)的变化趋势.     

Valley-polarized quantum anomalous Hall effect in van der Waals heterostructures based on monolayer jacutingaite family materials

We numerically study the general valley polarization and anomalous Hall effect in van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures based on monolayer jacutingaite family materials Pt₂AX₃ (A = Hg, Cd, Zn; X = S, Se, Te). We perform a systematic study on the atomic, electronic, and topological properties of vdW heterostructures composed of monolayer Pt₂AX₃ and two-dimensional ferromagnetic insulators. We show that four kinds of vdW heterostructures exhibit valley-polarized quantum anomalous Hall phase, i.e., Pt₂HgS₃/NiBr₂, Pt₂HgSe₃/CoBr₂, Pt₂HgSe₃/NiBr₂, and Pt₂ZnS₃/CoBr₂, with a maximum valley splitting of 134.2 meV in Pt₂HgSe₃/NiBr₂ and sizable global band gap of 58.8 meV in Pt₂HgS₃/NiBr₂. Our findings demonstrate an ideal platform to implement applications on topological valleytronics.     

β型锑烯热电输运性质的第一性原理研究

利用第一性原理与半经典玻尔兹曼方程，计算并分析β型锑烯的声子色散、声子群速度、声子弛豫时间、晶格热导率及不同温度下的塞贝克系数、电导率和电子热导率随化学势的变化；结果表明：β型锑烯由于非平面六角结构，三支声学声子在Γ点附近均呈线性变化；声学声子对整个晶格热导率的贡献高达96.68%，而光学声子仅仅占到3.32%；由于较大的声光带隙（a-o gap）导致LA支在声子群速度和弛豫时间中占据主导地位，从而增大了LA支声子对整个热导的贡献；热电优值随温度的升高而增大，在费米面附近其绝对值最大可达0.275.