Realizing the Ultralow Lattice Thermal Conductivity of CuSbSe Compound via Sulfur Alloying Effect.

CuSbSe is a potential p-type thermoelectric material, distinguished by its earth-abundant, inexpensive, innocuous, and environmentally friendly components. Nonetheless, the thermoelectric performance is poor and remains subpar. Herein, the electrical and thermal transport properties of CuSbSe were synergistically optimized by S alloying.

Insight into the Mechanisms of Nitride Films with Excellent Hardness and Lubricating Performance: A Review.

Transition metal nitride (TMN) films with excellent hardness and lubricating performance are versatile low dimension materials, which are widely used in various fields including industries, transportation, aerospace, and so on. This paper introduces one film design strategy and provides a review of the mechanisms for strengthening and lubricating nitride films. The design strategy refers to two aspects which determine the structures, the performance, the components, and the chemical constitutions of nitride films The strengthening mechanisms of nitride films are then illuminated in detail, including the solid solution effect, the grain size effect, the secondary phase effect, the stress or stress field effect, the template effect, and the valence electron concentration effect.