title: Phonon scattering through a local anisotropic structural disorder in the thermoelectric solid solution Cu2Zn(1-x)Fe(x)GeSe4.
abstract: Inspired by the promising thermoelectric properties of chalcopyrite-like quaternary chalcogenides, here we describe the synthesis and characterization of the solid solution Cu(2)Zn(1-x)Fe(x)GeSe(4). Upon substitution of Zn with the isoelectronic Fe, no charge carriers are introduced in these intrinsic semiconductors. However, a change in lattice parameters, expressed in an elongation of the c/a lattice parameter ratio with minimal change in unit cell volume, reveals the existence of a three-stage cation restructuring process of Cu, Zn, and Fe. The resulting local anisotropic structural disorder leads to phonon scattering not normally observed, resulting in an effective approach to reduce the lattice thermal conductivity in this class of materials.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Anorganische Chemie und Analytische Chemie der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Duesbergweg 10-14, D-55099 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Zeier
authors.forename: Yanzhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pomrehn
authors.forename: Tristan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heinz
authors.forename: Christophe P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.forename: G Jeffrey
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tremel