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Thermoelectric Nanostructures: From Physical Model Systems towards Nanograined Composites
Author(s) -
Nielsch Kornelius,
Bachmann Julien,
Kimling Johannes,
Böttner Harald
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201100207
Subject(s) - materials science , thermoelectric materials , thermoelectric effect , thermal conductivity , nanotechnology , engineering physics , nanowire , waste heat , nanostructure , nanoscopic scale , seebeck coefficient , figure of merit , optoelectronics , composite material , mechanical engineering , thermodynamics , physics , heat exchanger , engineering
Abstract Thermoelectric materials could play an increasing role for the efficient use of energy resources and waste heat recovery in the future. The thermoelectric efficiency of materials is described by the figure of merit ZT = ( S 2 σT )/ κ ( S Seebeck coefficient, σ electrical conductivity, κ thermal conductivity, and T absolute temperature). In recent years, several groups worldwide have been able to experimentally prove the enhancement of the thermoelectric efficiency by reduction of the thermal conductivity due to phonon blocking at nanostructured interfaces. This review addresses recent developments from thermoelectric model systems, e.g. nanowires, nanoscale meshes, and thermionic superlattices, up to nanograined bulk‐materials. In particular, the progress of nanostructured silicon and related alloys as an emerging material in thermoelectrics is emphasized. Scalable synthesis approaches of high‐performance thermoelectrics for high‐temperature applications is discussed at the end.