Precise synthesis of copper selenide nanowires with tailored Cu vacancies through photo-induced reduction for thermoelectric applications.

Nanostructuring in α-CuSe while optimizing carrier concentration holds the promise of realizing further high thermoelectric performance at near room temperature. Nevertheless, controlling the amounts of Cu vacancies, which work as acceptors, in nanostructures is considerably more intricate than in bulk materials. Hence, controlling the amounts of Cu vacancies while maintaining the α-phase and nanostructure shape poses a formidable challenge.