Origin of a Simultaneous Suppression of Thermal Conductivity and Increase of Electrical Conductivity and Seebeck Coefficient in Disordered Cubic Cu2ZnSnS4

The parameters governing the thermoelectric efficiency of a material, Seebeck coefficient, electrical, and thermal conductivities, are correlated and their reciprocal interdependence typically prevents a simultaneous optimization. Here, we present the case of disordered cubic kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4, a phase stabilized by structural disorder at low temperature. With respect to the ordered form, the introduction of disorder improves the three thermoelectric parameters at the same time. The origin of this peculiar behavior lies in the localization of some Sn lone pair electrons, leading to “rattling” Sn ions. On one hand, these rattlers remarkably suppress thermal conductivity, dissipating lattice energy via optical phonons located below 1.5 THz; on the other, they form electron-deficient Sn—S bonds leading to a p-type dopinglike effect and highly localized acceptor levels, simultaneously enhancing electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient. This phenomenon leads to a 3 times reduced thermal conductivity and doubling of both electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient, resulting in a more than 20 times increase in figure of merit, although still moderate in absolute terms.