A facile way to optimize thermoelectric properties of SnSe thin films via sonication-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation

In our work, SnSe nanosheets and nanostructured thin films were successfully synthesized via sonication-assisted exfoliation and coating process. The SnSe nanosheets respond to a uniform lateral size, with two to three single layers by 2.82 nm and 280 nm² of average thickness and average area, respectively. The results were confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscope, Transmission Electron Microscope, and Atomic Force Microscope. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra indicate that the SnSe nanosheets have high crystalline quality along a-axis. The SnSe nanostructured thin films were prepared in various thicknesses from 350 to 650 nm. The highest power factor value is achieved at 450 nm in 375–600 K temperature range. A simple method of fabrication and controllable thermoelectric properties of SnSe nanostructured thin films as well as other two-dimensional (2D) materials are introduced.