Optimized Electronic Bands and Ultralow Lattice Thermal Conductivity in Ag and Y Codoped SnTe.

Abstract

As a lead-free thermoelectric material, SnTe is inhibited by its inherent high carrier concentration and high thermal conductivity. This work describes the synergistic effect on the modulation of band structure and microstructural defects of SnTe by Ag and Y codoping, which gives rise to band convergence and multiple microstructural defects (secondary phases, dislocations, and boundaries) in the matrix and endows Sn0.94Ag0.09Y0.05Te with an increased power factor of ∼2485 μW m-1 K-2, an extremely low lattice thermal conductivity of ∼0.61 W m-1 K-1, and a peak zT as high as ∼1.2 at 873 K. This work reveals that the combination of Ag and Y could play a role in the synergistic optimization of electronic and phonon transport properties of SnTe by modifying the band structure and microstructures, providing guidance for enhancing the thermoelectric performance of the relevant materials.