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Title: Defect chemistry and doping of BiCuSeO

Journal Article · · Journal of Materials Chemistry. A
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ta05112a · OSTI ID:1853597

While p-type BiCuSeO is a well-known mid-temperature oxide thermoelectric (TE) material, computations predict that superior TE performance can be realized through n-type doping. In this study, we use first-principles defect calculations to show that Cu vacancies are responsible for the native p-type self doping; yet, we find that BiCuSeO is n-type dopable under Cu-rich growth conditions, where the formation of Cu vacancies is suppressed. We computationally survey a broad suite of 23 dopants and find that only Cl and Br are effective n-type dopants. Therefore, we recommend that future experimental doping efforts utilize phase boundary mapping to optimize the electron concentration and resolve the anomalous p–n–p transitions observed in halogen-doped BiCuSeO. The prospect of n-type doping, as revealed by our defect calculations, paves the path for rational design of BiCuSeO chemical analogues with similar doping behavior and even better TE performance.

Research Organization:
Krell Institute, Ames, IA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
NSF DMR; USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0020347
OSTI ID:
1853597
Journal Information:
Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Journal Name: Journal of Materials Chemistry. A Journal Issue: 36 Vol. 9; ISSN JMCAET; ISSN 2050-7488
Publisher:
Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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