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Helical dislocation-driven plasticity and flexible high-performance thermoelectric generator in α-Mg3Bi2 single crystals

Author

Listed:
  • Mingyuan Hu

    (Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology
    Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Jianmin Yang

    (Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Yan Wang

    (Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Junchao Xia

    (Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology
    University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade)

  • Quan Gan

    (Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Shuhuan Yang

    (Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology
    University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade)

  • Juping Xu

    (Spallation Neutron Source Science Center)

  • Shulin Liu

    (Spallation Neutron Source Science Center)

  • Wen Yin

    (Spallation Neutron Source Science Center)

  • Baohai Jia

    (Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Lin Xie

    (Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Haifeng Li

    (University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade)

  • Jiaqing He

    (Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology
    Southern University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

Inorganic plastic semiconductors play a crucial role in the realm of flexible electronics. In this study, we present a cost-effective plastic thermoelectric semimetal magnesium bismuthide (α-Mg3Bi2), exhibiting remarkable thermoelectric performance. Bulk single-crystalline α-Mg3Bi2 exhibits considerable plastic deformation at room temperature, allowing for the fabrication of intricate shapes such as the letters “SUSTECH” and a flexible chain. Transmission electron microscopy, time-of-flight neutron diffraction, and chemical bonding theoretic analyses elucidate that the plasticity of α-Mg3Bi2 stems from the helical dislocation-driven interlayer slip, small-sized Mg atoms induced weak interlayer Mg-Bi bonds, and low modulus of intralayer Mg2Bi22- networks. Moreover, we achieve a power factor value of up to 26.2 µW cm-1 K-2 along the c-axis at room temperature in an n-type α-Mg3Bi2 crystal. Our out-of-plane flexible thermoelectric generator exhibit a normalized power density of 8.1 μW cm-2 K-2 with a temperature difference of 7.3 K. This high-performance plastic thermoelectric semimetal promises to advance the field of flexible and deformable electronics.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingyuan Hu & Jianmin Yang & Yan Wang & Junchao Xia & Quan Gan & Shuhuan Yang & Juping Xu & Shulin Liu & Wen Yin & Baohai Jia & Lin Xie & Haifeng Li & Jiaqing He, 2025. "Helical dislocation-driven plasticity and flexible high-performance thermoelectric generator in α-Mg3Bi2 single crystals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55689-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55689-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jing-Wei Li & Zhijia Han & Jincheng Yu & Hua-Lu Zhuang & Haihua Hu & Bin Su & Hezhang Li & Yilin Jiang & Lu Chen & Weishu Liu & Qiang Zheng & Jing-Feng Li, 2023. "Wide-temperature-range thermoelectric n-type Mg3(Sb,Bi)2 with high average and peak zT values," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
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