High Thermoelectric Performance in Sulfide-Type Argyrodites Compound Ag₈Sn(S_{1− x}Se_x)₆ Enabled by Ultralow Lattice Thermal Conductivity and Extended Cubic Phase Regime

Argyrodites with a general chemical formula of A₈BC₆ are known for complex phase transitions, ultralow lattice thermal conductivity, and mixed electronic and ionic conduction. The coexistence of ionic conduction and promising thermoelectric performance have recently been reported in selenide and telluride argyrodites, but scarcely in sulfide argyrodites. Here, the thermoelectric properties of Ag₈Sn(S_{1− x}Se_x)₆ are reported. Specifically, Ag₈SnS₆ exhibits intrinsically ultralow lattice thermal conductivities of 0.61–0.31 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ over the whole temperature range from 32 to 773 K due to distorted local crystal structure, relatively weak chemical bonding, rattler-like Ag atoms, low-lying optical modes, and dynamic disorder of Ag ions at high temperatures. Se doping shifts the orthorhombic–cubic phase transition from 457 K at x = 0 to 430 K at x = 0.10, thereby expanding the temperature range of the thermoelectrically favored cubic phase. A figure of merit zT value ≈ 0.80 is achieved at 773 K in Ag₈Sn(S_{1− x}Se_x)₆ (x = 0.03), the highest zT value reported in sulfide argyrodites. These results fill a knowledge gap of the thermoelectric study of argyrodites and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the chemical bonding, lattice dynamics, and thermal transport of argyrodites.