Enhanced atomic ordering leads to high thermoelectric performance in AgSbTe ₂

TLDR

The study aims to improve thermoelectric performance by enhancing atomic ordering to increase electrical conductivity without compromising other properties. Cadmium doping of AgSbTe enhances cationic ordering, boosting electrical conductivity and reducing thermal conductivity, thereby markedly improving thermoelectric performance and offering a strategy applicable to other materials. Published in Science (p.

Abstract

Ordering up better conductivity Improving a thermoelectric material's ability to convert heat to electricity involves optimizing one property without changing another in a detrimental way. Roychowdhury et al. found that cadmium doping of silver antimony telluride enhances cationic ordering, which simultaneously improves electric properties and helpfully decreases thermal conductivity (see the Perspective by Liu and Ibáñez). This strategy markedly improves thermoelectric properties and could be used for other materials. Science , this issue p. 722 ; see also p. 678