High thermoelectric performance in tellurium free p-type AgSbSe2

Abstract

Enhanced electrical transport and ultra low thermal conductivity resulted in a high thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, of ∼1 and ∼1.15 at ∼680 K in 4 mol% Pb and 2 mol% Bi doped AgSbSe₂, which are 150 and 190% higher compared to that of the pristine sample, respectively. With this excellent thermoelectric performance, p-type AgSbSe₂, constituting earth abundant Se, offers promise to replace traditional metal tellurides containing expensive and scarce Te for mid temperature (350–700 K) thermoelectric applications.