Distinct role of Sn and Ge doping on thermoelectric properties in p-type (Bi, Sb)2Te3-alloys

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

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.

The Mechanical and Thermoelectric Properties of Bi2Te3-Based Alloy Prepared by Constrained Hot Compression Technique

This study proposes a constrained hot compression-molding (CHCM) technique for preparing Bi2Te3-based alloys. This method overcomes the problem of easy cleavage and destruction for the zone-melted Bi2Te3-based alloy, which is beneficial to improve the material utilization rate and thermoelectric devices yield in the commercial manufacturing process. The stress field distribution inside the CHCM specimen is explored via finite element analysis. The compressive strength of the CHCM sample is above 44 MPa, which is about 38% higher than that of the zone melting (ZM) material. Meanwhile, the CHCM sample shows a much lower electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity, but a higher Seebeck coefficient than that of the ZM sample, which is mainly due to the increase of the line defect concentration induced by the CHCM process. Finally, a maximum thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) value of 0.6 was achieved for CHCM sample.