Abstract
<h2>Summary</h2> Discovery and regulation of new phases of matter drive science and technology forward. Here, we report unique meta-phase Cu<sub>2</sub>(S,Te), Ag<sub>2</sub>(S,Te), and Mg<sub>2</sub>(Si,Sn) over a wide composition range. In the formation of meta-phase, the large diffusion coefficient mismatch counterbalances the large atomic size and electronegativity mismatches, thereby escaping phase separation and creating stable single-phased exquisite atomic structures beyond the classic Hume-Rothery (H-R) rule. Featured by the highly tunable contrasting degree of order/disorder of the sublattice, the meta-phase showcases electron localization/delocalization in Cu<sub>2</sub>(S,Te), a rare co-existence of mechanical plasticity and amorphous characteristics in Ag<sub>2</sub>(S,Te), along with inherently low lattice thermal conductivity and high thermoelectric performance in all three compounds. We envisage that the concept of meta-phase will usher in more innovations in materials research and technical applications.
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