Complex thermoelectric materials

Abstract

Thermoelectric materials, which can generate electricity from waste heat or be used as solid-state Peltier coolers, could play an important role in a global sustainable energy solution. Such a development is contingent on identifying materials with higher thermoelectric efficiency than available at present, which is a challenge owing to the conflicting combination of material traits that are required. Nevertheless, because of modern synthesis and characterization techniques, particularly for nanoscale materials, a new era of complex thermoelectric materials is approaching. We review recent advances in the field, highlighting the strategies used to improve the thermopower and reduce the thermal conductivity.

Self‐Tuning n‐Type Bi2(Te,Se)3/SiC Thermoelectric Nanocomposites to Realize High Performances up to 300 °C

“…Thermoelectric materials that enable direct exchange between heat and electrical energy have drawn increasing attention not only for scientific interest but also for industrial importance 1, 2, 3, 4. The efficiency of a thermoelectric material is characterized by dimensionless figure of merit zT , defined as zT = α 2 σT /κ, where α, σ, κ , and T are the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and absolute temperature, respectively 5, 6.…”

Nanoporous PbSe–SiO2 Thermoelectric Composites

“…The performance of a TE material is mainly judged by its dimensionless figure of merit ( ZT ) defined as  ZT = S 2 σT /(κ e + κ L ), where S , σ, and T are the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and absolute temperature, respectively, while κ e and κ L are the electronic and lattice contributions to the thermal conductivity. A powerful strategy towards higher ZT is to lower lattice thermal conductivity (κ L ), in which various methods, such as nanostructural engineering,2, 3, 4, 5 alloying (introducing mass and size disorder),6, 7, 8 and constructing complex crystal structures9, 10 have been utilized.…”

MnS Incorporation into Higher Manganese Silicide Yields a Green Thermoelectric Composite with High Performance/Price Ratio

“…Thermoelectric (TE) materials have attracted considerable attention owing to their capabilities of directly converting heat to electrical energy 1, 2, 3, 4. In general, TE performance can be estimated via the dimensionless figure of merit ZT = S 2 σT /κ tot , where S , σ, T , and κ tot are the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, absolute temperature, and total thermal conductivity, respectively 5, 6, 7, 8.…”