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The authors of the article entitled 'Super Deformable Behavior in Layered Structure InSe Single Crystals' found that the strain calculation is incorrect in the Mechanical Analysis section. Consequently, this paper has been withdrawn from publication.

Indium selenide, a III–V group semiconductor with layered structure, attracts intense attention in various photoelectric applications, due to its outstanding properties. Here, we report super deformability and thermoelectricity of γ-InSe single crystals grown by modified Bridgeman method. The crystal structure of InSe is studied systematically by transmission electron microscopy methods combined with x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The predominate phase of γ-InSe with dense stacking faults and local multiphases is directly demonstrated at atomic scale. The bulk γ-InSe crystals demonstrate surprisingly high intrinsic super deformative ability which is highly pliable with bending strains exceeding 12.5% and 264% extension by rolling. At the meantime, InSe also possesses graphite-like features which is printable, writable, and erasable. Finally, the thermoelectric properties of γ-InSe bulk single crystals are preliminary studied and thermal conductivity can be further reduced via bending-induced defects. These findings will enrich the knowledge of structural and mechanical properties’ flexibility of InSe and shed lights on the intrinsic and unique mechanical properties of InSe polytypes.

Binary Cu-based chalcogenide thermoelectric materials have attracted a great deal of attention due to their outstanding physical properties and fascinating phase sequence. However, the relatively low figure of merit zT restricts their practical applications in power generation. A general approach to enhancing zT value is to produce nanostructured grains, while one disadvantage of such a method is the expansion of grain size in heating-up process. Here, we report a prominent improvement of zT in Cu2Te0.2Se0.8, which is several times larger than that of the matrix. This significant enhancement in thermoelectric performance is attributed to the formation of abundant porosity via cold press. These pores with nano- to micrometer size can manipulate phonon transport simultaneously, resulting in an apparent suppression of thermal conductivity. Moreover, the Se substitution triggers a rapid promotion of power factor, which compensates for the reduction of electrical properties due to carriers scattering by pores. Our strategy of porosity engineering by phonon scattering can also be highly applicable in enhancing the performances of other thermoelectric systems.

We have systematically studied the thermoelectric properties in Zn-doped SnTe. Strikingly, band convergence and embedded precipitates arising from Zn doping, can trigger a prominent improvement of thermoelectric performance. In particular, the value of dimensionless figure of merit zT has increased by 100% and up to ~0.5 at 775 K for the optimal sample with 2% Zn content. Present findings demonstrate that carrier concentration and effective mass play crucial roles on the Seebeck coefficient and power factor. The obvious deviation from the Pisarenko line (Seebeck coefficient versus carrier concentration) due to Zn-doping reveals the convergence of valence bands. When the doping concentration exceeds the solubility, precipitates occur and lead to a reduction of lattice thermal conductivity. In addition, bipolar conduction is suppressed, indicating an enlargement of band gap. The Zn-doped SnTe is shown to be a promising candidate for thermoelectric applications.