Realizing High Performance in Flexible Mg3Sb2−xBix Thin‐Film Thermoelectrics

Abstract As advancements in Mg‐based thermoelectric materials continue, increasing attention is directed toward enhancing the thermoelectric performance of Mg3Sb2 and its integration into thermoelectric devices. However, research on Mg3Sb2 thin films and their application in flexible devices remains...

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Main Authors: Boxuan Hu, Xiao‐Lei Shi, Tianyi Cao, Min Zhang, Wenyi Chen, Siqi Liu, Meng Li, Weidi Liu, Zhi‐Gang Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-05-01
Series:Advanced Science
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502683
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author Boxuan Hu
Xiao‐Lei Shi
Tianyi Cao
Min Zhang
Wenyi Chen
Siqi Liu
Meng Li
Weidi Liu
Zhi‐Gang Chen
author_facet Boxuan Hu
Xiao‐Lei Shi
Tianyi Cao
Min Zhang
Wenyi Chen
Siqi Liu
Meng Li
Weidi Liu
Zhi‐Gang Chen
author_sort Boxuan Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract As advancements in Mg‐based thermoelectric materials continue, increasing attention is directed toward enhancing the thermoelectric performance of Mg3Sb2 and its integration into thermoelectric devices. However, research on Mg3Sb2 thin films and their application in flexible devices remains limited, leaving ample room for improvements in fabrication techniques and thermoelectric properties. To address these gaps, this study employs magnetron sputtering combined with ex‐situ annealing to dope Bi into Mg3Sb2 thin films, partially substituting Sb. This approach enhances the near‐room‐temperature performance and plasticity, yielding high‐performance Mg3Sb2−xBix thermoelectric thin films. The films achieve a power factor of 3.77 µW cm−1 K−2 at 500 K, the highest value reported for p‐type Mg3Sb2 thin films to date. Comprehensive characterization demonstrates precise thickness control, strong adhesion to various substrates, and excellent flexibility, with performance degradation of less than 12% after 1000 bending cycles at a radius of 5 mm. Additionally, a flexible thermoelectric device is constructed using p‐type Mg3Sb1.1Bi0.9 and n‐type Ag2Se legs, achieving an output power of 9.96 nW and a power density of 77.38 µW cm−2 under a temperature difference of 10 K. These findings underscore the potential of these devices for practical applications in wearable electronics.
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spelling doaj-art-e5d5a318ffce437c8d5f7750136f54e52025-08-20T03:47:33ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442025-05-011219n/an/a10.1002/advs.202502683Realizing High Performance in Flexible Mg3Sb2−xBix Thin‐Film ThermoelectricsBoxuan Hu0Xiao‐Lei Shi1Tianyi Cao2Min Zhang3Wenyi Chen4Siqi Liu5Meng Li6Weidi Liu7Zhi‐Gang Chen8School of Chemistry and Physics ARC Research Hub in Zero‐emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality and Centre for Materials Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4000 AustraliaSchool of Chemistry and Physics ARC Research Hub in Zero‐emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality and Centre for Materials Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4000 AustraliaSchool of Chemistry and Physics ARC Research Hub in Zero‐emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality and Centre for Materials Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4000 AustraliaSchool of Chemistry and Physics ARC Research Hub in Zero‐emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality and Centre for Materials Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4000 AustraliaSchool of Chemistry and Physics ARC Research Hub in Zero‐emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality and Centre for Materials Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4000 AustraliaSchool of Chemistry and Physics ARC Research Hub in Zero‐emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality and Centre for Materials Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4000 AustraliaSchool of Chemistry and Physics ARC Research Hub in Zero‐emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality and Centre for Materials Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4000 AustraliaSchool of Chemistry and Physics ARC Research Hub in Zero‐emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality and Centre for Materials Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4000 AustraliaSchool of Chemistry and Physics ARC Research Hub in Zero‐emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality and Centre for Materials Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD 4000 AustraliaAbstract As advancements in Mg‐based thermoelectric materials continue, increasing attention is directed toward enhancing the thermoelectric performance of Mg3Sb2 and its integration into thermoelectric devices. However, research on Mg3Sb2 thin films and their application in flexible devices remains limited, leaving ample room for improvements in fabrication techniques and thermoelectric properties. To address these gaps, this study employs magnetron sputtering combined with ex‐situ annealing to dope Bi into Mg3Sb2 thin films, partially substituting Sb. This approach enhances the near‐room‐temperature performance and plasticity, yielding high‐performance Mg3Sb2−xBix thermoelectric thin films. The films achieve a power factor of 3.77 µW cm−1 K−2 at 500 K, the highest value reported for p‐type Mg3Sb2 thin films to date. Comprehensive characterization demonstrates precise thickness control, strong adhesion to various substrates, and excellent flexibility, with performance degradation of less than 12% after 1000 bending cycles at a radius of 5 mm. Additionally, a flexible thermoelectric device is constructed using p‐type Mg3Sb1.1Bi0.9 and n‐type Ag2Se legs, achieving an output power of 9.96 nW and a power density of 77.38 µW cm−2 under a temperature difference of 10 K. These findings underscore the potential of these devices for practical applications in wearable electronics.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502683devicefilmflexibleMg3Sb2thermoelectric
spellingShingle Boxuan Hu
Xiao‐Lei Shi
Tianyi Cao
Min Zhang
Wenyi Chen
Siqi Liu
Meng Li
Weidi Liu
Zhi‐Gang Chen
Realizing High Performance in Flexible Mg3Sb2−xBix Thin‐Film Thermoelectrics
Advanced Science
device
film
flexible
Mg3Sb2
thermoelectric
title Realizing High Performance in Flexible Mg3Sb2−xBix Thin‐Film Thermoelectrics
title_full Realizing High Performance in Flexible Mg3Sb2−xBix Thin‐Film Thermoelectrics
title_fullStr Realizing High Performance in Flexible Mg3Sb2−xBix Thin‐Film Thermoelectrics
title_full_unstemmed Realizing High Performance in Flexible Mg3Sb2−xBix Thin‐Film Thermoelectrics
title_short Realizing High Performance in Flexible Mg3Sb2−xBix Thin‐Film Thermoelectrics
title_sort realizing high performance in flexible mg3sb2 xbix thin film thermoelectrics
topic device
film
flexible
Mg3Sb2
thermoelectric
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502683
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