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High performance magnesium-based plastic semiconductors for flexible thermoelectrics

Author

Listed:
  • Airan Li

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Yuechu Wang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Yuzheng Li

    (Zhejiang University
    Shanxi-Zheda Institute of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering)

  • Xinlei Yang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Pengfei Nan

    (Anhui University)

  • Kai Liu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Binghui Ge

    (Anhui University)

  • Chenguang Fu

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Tiejun Zhu

    (Zhejiang University
    Shanxi-Zheda Institute of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering)

Abstract

Low-cost thermoelectric materials with simultaneous high performance and superior plasticity at room temperature are urgently demanded due to the lack of ever-lasting power supply for flexible electronics. However, the inherent brittleness in conventional thermoelectric semiconductors and the inferior thermoelectric performance in plastic organics/inorganics severely limit such applications. Here, we report low-cost inorganic polycrystalline Mg3Sb0.5Bi1.498Te0.002, which demonstrates a remarkable combination of large strain (~ 43%) and high figure of merit zT (~ 0.72) at room temperature, surpassing both brittle Bi2(Te,Se)3 (strain ≤ 5%) and plastic Ag2(Te,Se,S) and organics (zT ≤ 0.4). By revealing the inherent high plasticity in Mg3Sb2 and Mg3Bi2, capable of sustaining over 30% compressive strain in polycrystalline form, and the remarkable deformability of single-crystalline Mg3Bi2 under bending, cutting, and twisting, we optimize the Bi contents in Mg3Sb2-xBix (x = 0 to 1) to simultaneously boost its room-temperature thermoelectric performance and plasticity. The exceptional plasticity of Mg3Sb2-xBix is further revealed to be brought by the presence of a dense dislocation network and the persistent Mg-Sb/Bi bonds during slipping. Leveraging its high plasticity and strength, polycrystalline Mg3Sb2-xBix can be easily processed into micro-scale dimensions. As a result, we successfully fabricate both in-plane and out-of-plane flexible Mg3Sb2-xBix thermoelectric modules, demonstrating promising power density. The inherent remarkable plasticity and high thermoelectric performance of Mg3Sb2-xBix hold the potential for significant advancements in flexible electronics and also inspire further exploration of plastic inorganic semiconductors.

Suggested Citation

  • Airan Li & Yuechu Wang & Yuzheng Li & Xinlei Yang & Pengfei Nan & Kai Liu & Binghui Ge & Chenguang Fu & Tiejun Zhu, 2024. "High performance magnesium-based plastic semiconductors for flexible thermoelectrics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49440-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49440-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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