Optimizing thermoelectric performance of MoS2 films by spontaneous noble metal nanoparticles decoration

Two-dimensional (2D) layered transitional metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) materials have been theoretically and experimentally proven to possess a good potential in thermoelectric (TE) energy harvesting. As a member of TMDCs, molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) was severely hindered by poor electrical conductivity for better TE performance. Herein, noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) was employed to optimize the electrical conductivity of MoS 2 films by spontaneous decoration. As a result, the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of MoS 2 films with a little Ag NPs load were simultaneously enhanced, which may result from the formation of more electrically conductive path and the stronger energy filtering effect generated by Ag NPs decoration. These results indicate that the conflict between thermoelectric factors can effectively resolve by spontaneous Ag NPs decoration. This technique may shed light on a new way for optimizing the TE energy harvesting efficiency for 2D TMDCs materials.