Facile synthesis of hetero-structured Bi2S3/SnS2 composite and its improved thermoelectric properties

In this study, bismuth sulfide/tin (IV) sulfide (Bi2S3/SnS2) heterostructure nanocomposites were fabricated to obtain high-performance thermoelectric composite materials. The Bi2S3/SnS2 composites were prepared via solution mixing using a two-step hydrothermal reactor. First, flower-like-shaped Bi2S3 was prepared, after which the as-synthesized Bi2S3 was decorated with SnS2 nanocomposites. The formation of a unique Bi2S3/SnS2 heterostructure was achieved through a thioacetamide-induced surfactant-assisted reaction process. The thermoelectric power factor of the Bi2S3/SnS2 composites was optimized by controlling their Bi:Sn ratios, and changes in the thermoelectric properties of the composites were investigated by examining the change in their carrier transport properties. The composite achieved a maximum thermoelectric power factor of similar to 99.7 mu W/m center dot K-2 at a Bi:Sn ratio of 1:0.2, which is similar to 5.1 times larger than that of pristine Bi2S3. This increase in the power factor was ascribed to the fact that the enhanced electrical conductivity outweighs the reduction effect of the Seebeck coefficient. The hetero-structured Bi2S3/SnS2 composite is a promising strategy for realizing high-performance sulfur-based thermoelectric composite materials. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Bismuth sulfide/tin (IV) sulfide heterostructure nanocomposites were fabricated via solution mixing and their thermoelectric power factor was optimized by controlling their composition ratio, resulting in high thermoelectric performance.