Scalable solution-based synthesis of component-controllable ultrathin PbTe_1−xSe_x nanowires with high n-type thermoelectric performance

As an important candidate for thermoelectric (TE) applications, the preparation of PbTe-based one-dimensional nanostructures with controllable components and properties remains a challenge. Herein, we report a new approach for the scalable solution-based synthesis of component-controllable ultrathin Se-doped PbTe (PbTe_1−xSe_x, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) single-phase ternary nanowires (NWs), which serve as building blocks for fabricating bulk nanostructured TE materials. Unexpectedly, Se dopant stabilized the NWs and favored the formation of a unique long-range-ordered nanonetwork structure inside the bulk, which led to a peak figure of merit (ZT) of 1.1 at 643 K and an average ZT of 0.9 in the range of 300-673 K, which was one of the highest values reported for the n-type nanostructured PbTe-based materials.