Bidirectional Optimization onto Thermoelectric Performance via Hydrostatic-Pressure in Chalcopyrite AgXTe2 (X=In, Ga)

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that hydrostatic pressure can significantly enhance the thermoelectric performance of AgXTe2 chalcopyrites by reducing thermal conductivity and increasing power factor, nearly doubling the ZT value.

Contribution

It reveals how pressure-induced lattice and electronic modifications optimize thermoelectric properties in AgXTe2, providing a new approach for material performance enhancement.

Findings

Hydrostatic pressure breaks the negative correlation between thermal conductivity and lattice distortion.

Pressure broadens phonon spectrum, increasing phonon scattering and reducing thermal conductivity.

Maximum ZT of AgInTe2 nearly doubles under pressure.

Abstract

Pressure tuning has emerged as a powerful strategy for manipulating the thermoelectric properties of materials by inducing structural and electronic modifications. Herein, we systematically investigate the transport properties and thermoelectric performance concerning lattice distortions induced by hydrostatic pressure in Ag-based chalcopyrite AgXTe2 (X=In, Ga). The findings reveal that the lattice distortion in AgXTe2 exhibits distinct behaviors under lattice compression, diverging from trends observed at ambient pressure. Importantly, the hydrostatic pressure breaks the phenomenally negative correlation between thermal conductivity and lattice distortion. Pressure-induced softening of low-frequency acoustic phonons broadens the low-energy phonon spectrum, enhancing interactions between acoustic and optical phonons. Such broadening substantially increases the number of available three-phonon scattering channels, resulting in a marked reduction in thermal conductivity. Meanwhile, we establish a macroscopic connection between metavalent bonding and anharmonicity, providing an indirect explanation for lattice anharmonicity through pressure-driven transferred charge. Additionally, the applied pressure achieves a notable net increase in the power factor despite the strong coupling of electrical transport parameters, which underscores the potential for bidirectional optimization of transport properties in AgXTe2. As a result, the maximum ZT value of AgInTe2 is nearly doubled, demonstrating that pressure modulation is a powerful strategy for enhancing thermoelectric performance. Our work not only establishes the link between pressure, lattice dynamics, and thermoelectric properties within chalcopyrite AgXTe2, but also inspires the exploration of pressure-related optimization strategies for conventional thermoelectric materials.