Direct tuning of electrical properties in nano-structured Bi2Se0.3Te2.7by reversible electrochemical lithium reactionsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c1cc15498b.

Lithium intercalation and de-intercalation processes have been used to fabricate bulk Bi2Se0.3Te2.7with internal nanostructures. The doped Li content can be precisely controlled through this method. It provides a chance to directly optimize electrical properties when preparing nano-structured materials, leading to the optimum carrier concentration for improved thermoelectric figure of merit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]