High thermoelectric and mechanical performance in highly dense Cu2−xS bulks prepared by a melt-solidification technique

Abstract

Highly dense Cu_2−xS bulks, fabricated by a melt-solidification technique, show high thermoelectric performance with zT of ∼1.9 at 970 K. The Cu_2−xS bulks show good thermal heat flow and diffusivity stability, and they exhibit excellent mechanical properties, with hardness of ∼1 GPa. Density functional theory calculations indicate that Cu_2−xS is an intrinsic p-type conductor.