Solvothermal synthesis and growth mechanism of Ag and Sb co-doped PbTe heterogeneous thermoelectric nanorods and nanocubes

► AgPb18SbTe20 nanothermoelectric powders are synthesized by a solvothermal method using cheap chemical reagents. ► The as-prepared powers exhibit heterostructures of nanorods and nanocubes. CTAB as capping molecules is crucial for the formation of nanorods. ► Enhanced Seebeck coefficients are achieved for the LAST-18 bulk sample with an addition of the synthesized heterostructure of nanorods and nanocubes in the high temperature range.