Advancing Thermoelectric Materials: A Comprehensive Review Exploring the Significance of One-Dimensional Nano Structuring

Abstract

Amidst the global challenges posed by pollution, escalating energy expenses, and the imminent threat of global warming, the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions has become increasingly imperative. Thermoelectricity, a promising form of green energy, can harness waste heat and directly convert it into electricity. This technology has captivated attention for centuries due to its environmentally friendly characteristics, mechanical stability, versatility in size and substrate, and absence of moving components. Its applications span diverse domains, encompassing heat recovery, cooling, sensing, and operating at low and high temperatures. However, developing thermoelectric materials with high-performance efficiency faces obstacles such as high cost, toxicity, and reliance on rare-earth elements. To address these challenges, this comprehensive review encompasses pivotal aspects of thermoelectricity, including its historical context, fundamental operating principles, cutting-edge materials, and innovative strategies. In particular, the potential of one-dimensional nanostructuring is explored as a promising avenue for advancing thermoelectric technology. The concept of one-dimensional nanostructuring is extensively examined, encompassing various configurations and their impact on the thermoelectric properties of materials. The profound influence of one-dimensional nanostructuring on thermoelectric parameters is also thoroughly discussed. The review also provides a comprehensive overview of large-scale synthesis methods for one-dimensional thermoelectric materials, delving into the measurement of thermoelectric properties specific to such materials. Finally, the review concludes by outlining prospects and identifying potential directions for further advancements in the field.

Line Edge Roughness Effects on the Thermoelectric Properties of Armchair Black Phosphorene Nanoribbons

“…These devices are reliable and find applications in various industries and specific uses, such as recovering wasted DOI: 10.1002/adts.202301082 heat in power plants, reducing fuel consumption in vehicles, powering electrical systems in aerospace, wearable thermoelectric devices for utilizing body heat to generate low-power electricity, solarthermoelectric generators, sensor construction in medical applications, and energyefficient building facades. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] So far, commercial thermoelectric materials have primarily been based on alloys such as PbTe, Bi2Te3, and SiGe. However, the use of these materials is limited due to their scarcity, toxicity, and high cost.…”

“…However, the use of these materials is limited due to their scarcity, toxicity, and high cost. [1,5,[10][11][12] The energy conversion efficiency of thermoelectric materials is primarily assessed by a dimensionless figure of merit. ZT is inversely proportional to thermal conductivity and directly proportional to the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity.…”

“…In this context, thermoelectric parameters demonstrate interdependence, presenting a significant challenge in improving each parameter without affecting others. [2,5,[12][13][14][15] Strategies for improving the performance of thermoelectric materials include various approaches such as doping and alloying approach, heavy element addition, superlattice approach, band engineering approaches, Phonon-Glass Electron-Crystal (PGEC), pressure-induced approach, and nanostructuring approach, among others. [5,10,12,13,16,17] Among the most effective methods are nanostructuring approach, including the use of 2D nanostructures, nanotubes, nanowires, and quantum dots etc.…”

“…[2,5,[12][13][14][15] Strategies for improving the performance of thermoelectric materials include various approaches such as doping and alloying approach, heavy element addition, superlattice approach, band engineering approaches, Phonon-Glass Electron-Crystal (PGEC), pressure-induced approach, and nanostructuring approach, among others. [5,10,12,13,16,17] Among the most effective methods are nanostructuring approach, including the use of 2D nanostructures, nanotubes, nanowires, and quantum dots etc. [13,18,19] The arrival of materials at the nanoscale leads to changes in their electronic and physical properties due to the emergence of quantum confinement effects.…”

“…Increasing the surface area in this method enhances phonon scattering, significantly reducing lattice thermal conductivity. [5,10,16,20] This can be achieved by creating nanostructures with dimensions smaller than the phonon mean free path but larger than the electron mean free path. Using nanostructures allows the enhancement of the Seebeck coefficient while reducing thermal conductivity, potentially maintaining or even increasing electrical conductivity.…”