Physical Intuition to Improve Electronic Properties of Thermoelectrics

Thermoelectrics convert heat to electricity and vice versa. They are of technological importance in cooling and energy harvesting. Their performances are defined by figure of merit, zT. Decades of studies have largely focused on the development of novel and advanced materials reaching higher perform...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wei Yang Samuel Lim, Danwei Zhang, Solco Samantha Faye Duran, Xian Yi Tan, Chee Kiang Ivan Tan, Jianwei Xu, Ady Suwardi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphy.2021.755597/full
_version_ 1818691129247268864
author Wei Yang Samuel Lim
Danwei Zhang
Solco Samantha Faye Duran
Xian Yi Tan
Chee Kiang Ivan Tan
Jianwei Xu
Ady Suwardi
Ady Suwardi
author_facet Wei Yang Samuel Lim
Danwei Zhang
Solco Samantha Faye Duran
Xian Yi Tan
Chee Kiang Ivan Tan
Jianwei Xu
Ady Suwardi
Ady Suwardi
author_sort Wei Yang Samuel Lim
collection DOAJ
description Thermoelectrics convert heat to electricity and vice versa. They are of technological importance in cooling and energy harvesting. Their performances are defined by figure of merit, zT. Decades of studies have largely focused on the development of novel and advanced materials reaching higher performance in devices. To date, the lack of sufficiently high-performance thermoelectrics, especially among Earth-abundant and lightweight materials, is one of the reasons why there is no broad commercial application of thermoelectric devices yet. This challenge is due to the complex correlations of parameters that make up the zT. Theoretical estimation can reveal the optimal charge carrier concentration, which can provide a good idea of doping compositions. Depending on the material characteristics, decoupling these intercorrelated parameters could be viable. Broadly speaking, increasing carrier mobility, inducing a large fluctuation in density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level, and lowering the lattice thermal conductivity lead to better thermoelectric performance. In this mini review, we provide a broad picture of electronic property optimization for thermoelectric materials. This work will be a useful guide to quickly take readers to the forefront of thermoelectric research.
first_indexed 2024-12-17T12:36:59Z
format Article
id doaj.art-652b974f2a874e108e761103755a58e4
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2296-424X
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-17T12:36:59Z
publishDate 2021-11-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Physics
spelling doaj.art-652b974f2a874e108e761103755a58e42022-12-21T21:48:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physics2296-424X2021-11-01910.3389/fphy.2021.755597755597Physical Intuition to Improve Electronic Properties of ThermoelectricsWei Yang Samuel Lim0Danwei Zhang1Solco Samantha Faye Duran2Xian Yi Tan3Chee Kiang Ivan Tan4Jianwei Xu5Ady Suwardi6Ady Suwardi7Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, SingaporeInstitute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, SingaporeInstitute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, SingaporeInstitute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, SingaporeInstitute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, SingaporeInstitute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, SingaporeInstitute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, SingaporeDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, SingaporeThermoelectrics convert heat to electricity and vice versa. They are of technological importance in cooling and energy harvesting. Their performances are defined by figure of merit, zT. Decades of studies have largely focused on the development of novel and advanced materials reaching higher performance in devices. To date, the lack of sufficiently high-performance thermoelectrics, especially among Earth-abundant and lightweight materials, is one of the reasons why there is no broad commercial application of thermoelectric devices yet. This challenge is due to the complex correlations of parameters that make up the zT. Theoretical estimation can reveal the optimal charge carrier concentration, which can provide a good idea of doping compositions. Depending on the material characteristics, decoupling these intercorrelated parameters could be viable. Broadly speaking, increasing carrier mobility, inducing a large fluctuation in density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level, and lowering the lattice thermal conductivity lead to better thermoelectric performance. In this mini review, we provide a broad picture of electronic property optimization for thermoelectric materials. This work will be a useful guide to quickly take readers to the forefront of thermoelectric research.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphy.2021.755597/fullthermoelectricsthermal transportelectronic transportsemiconductorenergy harvesting
spellingShingle Wei Yang Samuel Lim
Danwei Zhang
Solco Samantha Faye Duran
Xian Yi Tan
Chee Kiang Ivan Tan
Jianwei Xu
Ady Suwardi
Ady Suwardi
Physical Intuition to Improve Electronic Properties of Thermoelectrics
Frontiers in Physics
thermoelectrics
thermal transport
electronic transport
semiconductor
energy harvesting
title Physical Intuition to Improve Electronic Properties of Thermoelectrics
title_full Physical Intuition to Improve Electronic Properties of Thermoelectrics
title_fullStr Physical Intuition to Improve Electronic Properties of Thermoelectrics
title_full_unstemmed Physical Intuition to Improve Electronic Properties of Thermoelectrics
title_short Physical Intuition to Improve Electronic Properties of Thermoelectrics
title_sort physical intuition to improve electronic properties of thermoelectrics
topic thermoelectrics
thermal transport
electronic transport
semiconductor
energy harvesting
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphy.2021.755597/full
work_keys_str_mv AT weiyangsamuellim physicalintuitiontoimproveelectronicpropertiesofthermoelectrics
AT danweizhang physicalintuitiontoimproveelectronicpropertiesofthermoelectrics
AT solcosamanthafayeduran physicalintuitiontoimproveelectronicpropertiesofthermoelectrics
AT xianyitan physicalintuitiontoimproveelectronicpropertiesofthermoelectrics
AT cheekiangivantan physicalintuitiontoimproveelectronicpropertiesofthermoelectrics
AT jianweixu physicalintuitiontoimproveelectronicpropertiesofthermoelectrics
AT adysuwardi physicalintuitiontoimproveelectronicpropertiesofthermoelectrics
AT adysuwardi physicalintuitiontoimproveelectronicpropertiesofthermoelectrics