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In this study, we report a large magneto-thermal conductivity effect, potentially usable in heat flow switches and thermoelectric devices, in Ag2Te over a wide temperature range, including room temperature. When a magnetic field of μ0H = 9 T is applied to Ag2Te at 300 K along the direction perpendicular to the heat and electric currents, the thermal conductivity κ decreases by a remarkable 61%. This effect is mainly caused by the suppressed electronic thermal conductivity in association with a significant magnetoresistance effect, but the suppression of the thermal conductivity is larger than that of the electrical conductivity, presumably due to a field-induced decrease in the Lorenz ratio. Its very low lattice thermal conductivity, as low as 0.5 W m−1 K−1, also greatly contributes to the large relative magneto-thermal conductivity effect. The significant decrease in thermal conductivity and the 18% increase in the Seebeck coefficient S lead to a nearly 100% increase in the thermoelectric figure of merit zT = S2σTκ−1 despite the 43% decrease in electrical conductivity σ. 

Abstract Topological insulators and semimetals have been shown to possess intriguing thermoelectric properties promising for energy harvesting and cooling applications. However, thermoelectric transport associated with the Fermi arc topological surface states on topological Dirac semimetals remains less explored. This work systematically examines thermoelectric transport in a series of topological Dirac semimetal Cd₃As₂thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Surprisingly, significantly enhanced Seebeck effect and anomalous Nernst effect are found at cryogenic temperatures when the Cd₃As₂layer is thin. In particular, a peak Seebeck coefficient of nearly 500 µV K⁻¹and a corresponding thermoelectric power factor over 30 mW K⁻² m⁻¹are observed at 5 K in a 25‐nm‐thick sample. Combining angle‐dependent quantum oscillation analysis, magnetothermoelectric measurement, transport modeling, and first‐principles simulation, the contributions from bulk and surface conducting channels are isolated and the unusual thermoelectric properties are attributed to the topological surface states. The analysis showcases the rich thermoelectric transport physics in quantum‐confined topological Dirac semimetal thin films and suggests new routes to achieving high thermoelectric performance at cryogenic temperatures. 

Abstract The exploration of quantum materials in which an applied thermo/electrical/magnetic field along one crystallographic direction produces an anisotropic response has led to unique functionalities. Along these lines, KMgBi is a layered, narrow gap semiconductor near a critical state between multiple Dirac phases due to the presence of a flat band near the Fermi level. The valence band is highly anisotropic with minimal cross‐plane dispersion, which, in combination with an isotropic conduction band, enables axis‐dependent conduction polarity. Thermopower and Hall measurements indicate dominant p‐type conduction along the cross‐plane direction, and n‐type conduction along the in‐plane direction, leading to a significant zero‐field transverse thermoelectric response when the heat flux is at an angle to the principal crystallographic directions. Additionally, a large Ordinary Nernst effect (ONE) is observed with an applied field.  It arises from the ambipolar term in the Nernst effect, whereby the Lorentz force on electrons and holes makes them drift in opposite directions so that the resulting Nernst voltage becomes a function of the difference between their partial thermopowers, greatly enhancing the ONE. It is proven that axis‐dependent polarity can synergistically enhance the ONE, in addition to leading to a zero‐field transverse thermoelectric performance.