Copper Telluride (Cu2Te) is an advanced chalcogenide material recognized for its exceptional thermoelectric, electronic, and photoelectric properties. As a p-type semiconductor with high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity, Cu2Te has emerged as a promising compound for thermoelectric energy conversion and optoelectronic applications.
Material Overview
Cu2Te belongs to the family of copper chalcogenides, exhibiting a superionic conduction mechanism in which Cu+ ions are highly mobile within the tellurium lattice. Its crystal structure varies depending on stoichiometry and synthesis conditions, transitioning between orthorhombic and hexagonal phases. Powder X-ray diffraction studies confirm that Cu2Te maintains a metallic-like electrical behavior, with conductivity decreasing slightly with temperature increase, indicative of degenerate semiconductivity (Mukherjee et al., 2019). Nanostructured Cu–Te powders show phase transformation behavior influenced by sintering temperatures; below 773 K, mixed phases of Cu7Te4 and Cu2.8Te2 are present, while higher temperatures yield phase-pure Cu2Te (Rajkumar et al., 2020). The Seebeck coefficient typically ranges from 20–40 µV·K−1, demonstrating p-type conduction dominated by hole carriers.
Applications and Advantages
Cu2Te is widely explored for thermoelectric generators, infrared detectors, and solar energy devices due to its high power factor and tunable electronic structure. It exhibits a figure of merit (zT) around 0.2–0.3 at 600 K, which can be enhanced through controlled doping and nanostructuring (Rajkumar et al., 2023). Sb-doped Cu2Te nanostructures, for instance, have achieved improved electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficients through optimized carrier concentration. Furthermore, electrodeposited thin films of Cu–Te demonstrate stable morphology and adjustable work function, making them attractive for flexible thermoelectric modules and sensor interfaces (Park et al., 2022). Its chemical stability and abundance position Cu2Te as an environmentally favorable alternative to traditional telluride thermoelectrics.
Goodfellow Availability
Goodfellow provides high-purity Copper Telluride (Cu2Te) powder for research and industrial development. Offered in customizable particle sizes and purities, it supports applications in thermoelectric studies, electronic fabrication, and catalytic systems.
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References
- Mukherjee, S., Chetty, R., Madduri, P. V. P., Nayak, A. K., Wojciechowski, K. T., Ghosh, T., Chattopadhyay, K., Suwas, S., & Mallik, R. C. (2019). Investigation on the structure and thermoelectric properties of CuxTe binary compounds. Dalton Transactions, 48(2), 345–354. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8DT04351E
- Rajkumar, R., Nedunchezhian, A. S. A., Sidharth, D., Rajasekaran, P., Arivanandhan, M., Jayavel, R., & Anbalagan, G. (2020). Effect of sintering temperatures on mixed phases and thermoelectric properties of nanostructured copper telluride. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 843, 155276. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JALLCOM.2020.155276
- Rajkumar, R., Mani, J., Nedunchezhian, A. S. A., Sidharth, D., Radha, S., Arivanandhan, M., Jayavel, R., & Anbalagan, G. (2023). Electrical and thermal transport properties of Sb substituted Cu2Te nanostructures for thermoelectric applications. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 151, 110622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2023.110622
- Park, J.-C., Seo, J.-K., Lim, J.-H., & Yoo, B. (2022). Synthesis of copper telluride thin films by electrodeposition and their electrical and thermoelectric properties. Frontiers in Chemistry, 10, 799305. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2022.799305
- Mansour, B., Mukhtar, F., & Barakati, G. G. (1986). Electrical and thermoelectric properties of copper tellurides. Physica Status Solidi (a), 95(2), 491–499. https://doi.org/10.1002/PSSA.2210950240