Zaferani, S.H.Ghomashchi, R.Vashaee, D.2021-06-302021-06-302021ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2021; 4(4):3573-35832574-09622574-0962http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131023We examine the role of graphene nanoplates (GNPs) in the critical properties of thermoelectric GNP nanocomposites. After a detailed analysis of the thermoelectric, microstructural, and mechanical characteristics of such nanocomposites, we present a case study based on CoVSn-GNP heterostructures. It is shown that GNPs can improve the mechanical properties without deteriorating the thermoelectric properties of the material. CoVSn-GNP bulk composites are fabricated using powder metallurgy and spark plasma sintering with a GNP weight percentage range of 0–1. All samples with the addition of GNPs showed improved mechanical properties compared with pristine CoVSn. The sample with 0.5 wt % GNPs showed the highest value of Vickers Hardness (737 HV) among all of the studied compositions. Moreover, the fracture toughness was higher for the samples with a lower average crystal size. The concentration and dispersion of GNPs did not significantly change the CoVSn multiphase microstructure; however, it influenced the thermoelectric factors by reducing the thermal conductivity and increasing the Seebeck coefficient, leading to the enhancement of the thermoelectric figure of merit.en© 2021 American Chemical SocietyGraphene nanoplates; heterostructure composition; thermoelectrics; nanostructuring; CoVSnJournal article100003967210.1021/acsaem.1c000150006447378000632-s2.0-85105065607572573Ghomashchi, R. [0000-0003-3633-2296]