Inhomogenous doping induced the imperfect self-assembly of nanocrystals for the synthesis of porous AgPb10BiTe12 nanosheets and their thermoelectric transport properties.

For the first time, quaternary single-crystal-like porous AgPb10BiTe12 nanosheets in two solid forms (solid solution and a Bi-rich region coexist) were achieved. A significant enhancement of thermoelectric performance was realized through nanoscale grain boundaries and macroscale porous structures.