Selective generation of Ag interstitial defects in Te-rich Bi₂(Te,Se)₃ using Ag nanoparticles causing significant improvement in thermoelectric performance

We report significant enhancement in thermoelectric performance of n-type Bi₂(Te,Se)₃ prepared via conventional melting process. We deposited chemically synthesized Ag nanoparticles onto Te-rich Bi₂(Te,Se)₃ and sintered the resulting substance to obtain a bulk product. The Ag nanoparticles and excessive Te elements should be converted to interstitial and antisite defects in the product, respectively, which possibly interacted to vary thermoelectric transport properties of the product. We endeavored to balance the concentration of the defects to optimize the properties, and thus we strengthened phonon glass electron crystal characteristic of the product, resulting in the improvement in thermoelectric performance.