Full Heusler compounds have long been discovered as exceptional n-type thermoelectric materials. However, no p-type compounds could match the high n-type figure of merit ( ZT ). In this work, based on first-principles transport theory, we predict the unprecedentedly high p-type ZT = 2.2 at 300 K and 5.3 at 800 K in full Heusler CsK 2 Bi and CsK 2 Sb, respectively. By incorporating the higher-order phonon scattering, we find that the high ZT value primarily stems from the ultralow lattice thermal conductivity ( κ L ) of less than 0.2 W mK −1 at room temperature, decreased by 40% compared to the calculation only considering three-phonon scattering. Such ultralow κ L is rooted in the enhanced phonon anharmonicity and scattering channels stemming from the coexistence of antibonding-induced anharmonic rattling of Cs atoms and low-lying optical branches. Moreover, the flat and heavy nature of valence band edges leads to a high Seebeck coefficient and moderate power factor at optimal hole concentration, while the dispersive and light conduction band edges yield much larger electrical conductivity and electronic thermal conductivity ( κ e ), and the predominant role of κ e suppresses the n-type ZT . This study offers a deeper insight into the thermal and electronic transport properties in full Heusler compounds with strong phonon anharmonicity and excellent thermoelectric performance.
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High Thermoelectric Performance in Supersaturated Solid Solutions and Nanostructured n‐Type PbTe–GeTe
Sb‐doped and GeTe‐alloyed n‐type thermoelectric materials that show an excellent figure of merit
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10059320
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Functional Materials
- Volume:
- 28
- Issue:
- 31
- ISSN:
- 1616-301X
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract The potential of an environmentally friendly and emerging chalcogenide perovskite CaZrSe3for thermoelectric applications is examined. The orthorhombic phase of CaZrSe3has an optimum band gap (1.35–1.40 eV) for single‐junction photovoltaic applications. The predictions reveal that CaZrSe3possesses an absorption coefficient of ≈4 × 105cm−1at photon energies of 2.5 eV with an early onset of optical absorption (≈0.2 eV) well below the optimum band gap. Seebeck coefficient,
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Abstract Microstructure engineering is an effective strategy to reduce lattice thermal conductivity (κl) and enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit (
zT ). Through a new process based on melt‐centrifugation to squeeze out excess eutectic liquid, microstructure modulation is realized to manipulate the formation of dislocations and clean grain boundaries, resulting in a porous network with a platelet structure. In this way, phonon transport is strongly disrupted by a combination of porosity, pore surfaces/junctions, grain boundaries, and lattice dislocations. These collectively result in a ≈60% reduction of κlcompared to zone melted ingot, while the charge carriers remain relatively mobile across the liquid‐fused grains. This porous material displays azT value of 1.2, which is higher than fully dense conventional zone melted ingots and hot pressed (Bi,Sb)2Te3alloys. A segmented leg of melt‐centrifuged Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3and Bi0.3Sb1.7Te3could produce a high deviceZT exceeding 1.0 over the whole temperature range of 323–523 K and an efficiency up to 9%. The present work demonstrates a method for synthesizing high‐efficiency porous thermoelectric materials through an unconventional melt‐centrifugation technique. -
The Mg 3 Sb 2− x Bi x family has emerged as the potential candidates for thermoelectric applications due to their ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity ( κ L ) at room temperature (RT) and structural complexity. Here, using ab initio calculations of the electron-phonon averaged (EPA) approximation coupled with Boltzmann transport equation (BTE), we have studied electronic, phonon and thermoelectric properties of Mg 3 Sb 2− x Bi x (x = 0, 1, and 2) monolayers. In violation of common mass-trend expectations, increasing Bi element content with heavier Zintl phase compounds yields an abnormal change in κ L in two-dimensional Mg 3 Sb 2− x Bi x crystals at RT (∼0.51, 1.86, and 0.25 W/mK for Mg 3 Sb 2 , Mg 3 SbBi, and Mg 3 Bi 2 ). The κ L trend was detailedly analyzed via the phonon heat capacity, group velocity and lifetime parameters. Based on quantitative electronic band structures, the electronic bonding through the crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) and electron local function analysis we reveal the underlying mechanism for the semiconductor-semimetallic transition of Mg 3 Sb 2-− x Bi x compounds, and these electronic transport properties (Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and electronic thermal conductivity) were calculated. We demonstrate that the highest dimensionless figure of merit ZT of Mg 3 Sb 2− x Bi x compounds with increasing Bi content can reach ∼1.6, 0.2, and 0.6 at 700 K, respectively. Our results can indicate that replacing heavier anion element in Zintl phase Mg 3 Sb 2− x Bi x materials go beyond common expectations (a heavier atom always lead to a lower κ L from Slack’s theory), which provide a novel insight for regulating thermoelectric performance without restricting conventional heavy atomic mass approach.more » « less
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Abstract The Ag and In co‐doped PbTe, Ag
n Pb100Inn Te100+2n (LIST), exhibitsn ‐type behavior and features unique inherent electronic levels that induce self‐tuning carrier density. Results show that In is amphoteric in the LIST, forming both In3+and In1+centers. Through unique interplay of valence fluctuations in the In centers and conduction band filling, the electron carrier density can be increased from ≈3.1 × 1018cm−3at 323 K to ≈2.4 × 1019cm−3at 820 K, leading to large power factors peaking at ≈16.0 µWcm−1K−2at 873 K. The lone pair of electrons from In+can be thermally continuously promoted into the conduction band forming In3+, consistent with the amphoteric character of In. Moreover, with rising temperature, the Fermi level shifts into the conduction band, which enlarges the optical band gap based on the Moss–Burstein effect, and reduces bipolar diffusion and thermal conductivity. Adding extra Ag in LIST improves the electrical transport properties and meanwhile lowers the lattice thermal conductivity to ≈0.40 Wm−1K−1. The addition of Ag creates spindle‐shaped Ag2Te nanoprecipitates and atomic‐scale interstitials that scatter a broader set of phonons. As a result, a maximumZT value ≈1.5 at 873 K is achieved in Ag6Pb100InTe102(LIST).
