High performance thermoelectrics from low-cost and abundant CuS/CuI composites

文献情報

出版日 2023-12-19

DOI 10.1039/D3TA06474C

インパクトファクター 12.732

著者

Aleksandar Živković, Michael E. A. Warwick, Charles W. Dunnill

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要旨

Materials with simultaneously excellent electrical conductivity (σ) and a high Seebeck coefficient (S) are important for thermoelectric applications. However, obtaining such materials is a challenging task as σ and S vary inversely with respect to each other. Here, a new fabrication process has been demonstrated that produces composite materials with desired properties. Electrically highly conducting copper sulphide (CuS) particles are encapsulated within a compound with a high Seebeck coefficient, i.e. copper iodide (CuI), to form core–shell type composites. The presented results show that the concept of producing such composites allows the optimisation of both σ and S to provide enhanced thermoelectric performance (measured using the figure of merit, zT) when compared to the individual starting materials. Quantum mechanical calculations are performed to elaborate on the Schottky barrier formed at the interface between copper iodide and copper sulphide and elucidate aspects of the improved transport mechanism. Furthermore, an optimized compositional ratio between the respective composite parts is identified, which at the same time exhibits a high power factor and reduced thermal conductivity. As a result, an improved value of 0.46 at room temperature has been observed, demonstrating that these simple, abundant, and non-toxic CuS/CuI composites are attractive candidates for thermoelectrics.

掲載誌

Journal of Materials Chemistry A

CiteScore: 19.5

自己引用率: 4.7%

年間論文数: 2211

Journal of Materials Chemistry A, B & C cover high quality studies across all fields of materials chemistry. The journals focus on those theoretical or experimental studies that report new understanding, applications, properties and synthesis of materials. The journals have a strong history of publishing quality reports of interest to interdisciplinary communities and providing an efficient and rigorous service through peer review and publication. The journals are led by an international team of Editors-in-Chief and Associate Editors who are all active researchers in their fields. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, B & C are separated by the intended application of the material studied. Broadly, applications in energy and sustainability are of interest to Journal of Materials Chemistry A, applications in biology and medicine are of interest to Journal of Materials Chemistry B, and applications in optical, magnetic and electronic devices are of interest to Journal of Materials Chemistry C. More than one Journal of Materials Chemistry journal may be suitable for certain fields and researchers are encouraged to submit their paper to the journal that they feel best fits for their particular article. Example topic areas within the scope of Journal of Materials Chemistry A are listed below. This list is neither exhaustive nor exclusive. Artificial photosynthesis Batteries Carbon dioxide conversion Catalysis Fuel cells Gas capture/separation/storage Green/sustainable materials Hydrogen generation Hydrogen storage Photocatalysis Photovoltaics Self-cleaning materials Self-healing materials Sensors Supercapacitors Thermoelectrics Water splitting Water treatment