Simultaneously Enhanced Thermoelectric and Mechanical Performance in SnSe-Based Nanocomposites Produced via Sintering SnSe and KCu7S4 Nanomaterials

Both thermoelectric and mechanical properties are important to the practical applications of thermoelectric materials. Herein, we develop a strategy for alloying KCu7S4 to improve the dimensionless figure of merit (zT), compressive strength, and Vickers hardness of polycrystalline SnSe. Through chemical synthesis and particle mixing in solutions, powders with SnSe nanoparticles and KCu7S4 nanowires are produced, and the subsequent spark plasma sintering triggers the reaction between the two chalcogenides, resulting in the formation of Cu2SnSe3 nanoparticles and substitution of Cu and S in the SnSe matrix. The composition tuning and secondary phase formation effectively enhance the power factor and diminish the lattice thermal conductivity, leading to a maximum zT of 1.13 at 823 K for the optimal sample, which is improved by 135% over that of SnSe. Simultaneously, the compressive strength and hardness are also enhanced, as exemplified by a high compressive strength of 135 MPa that is enhanced by ∼81% compared to that of SnSe. The current study demonstrates effective composite and composition design toward enhanced thermoelectric and mechanical performance in polycrystalline SnSe.