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Author Spotlight: Advancements in High-Performance Thermoelectric Thin Films Through Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering
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Advanced Thermoelectric Design: From Materials and Structures to Devices
Xiao-Lei Shi1,2, Jin Zou2,3, Zhi-Gang Chen1,2
1Centre for Future Materials, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield Central, Queensland 4300, Australia.
Chemical Reviews
|July 3, 2020
Summary
This review details strategies for high-performance thermoelectric materials and devices, covering structural and multidimensional design. It highlights challenges and future directions for materials scientists, chemists, and physicists.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid State Physics
- Chemistry
Background:
- Thermoelectric materials are popular for energy conversion devices.
- Developing high-performance thermoelectric materials is crucial for efficiency.
- Existing strategies require comprehensive review and synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively summarize state-of-the-art strategies for high-performance thermoelectric materials and devices.
- To establish links between synthesis, structure, properties, chemistry, and physics.
- To guide researchers in selecting suitable improvement strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of structural design strategies (defects, interfaces, pores).
- Analysis of multidimensional design approaches (nanostructures, thin films, crystals).
- Examination of advanced thermoelectric device designs (modules, generators, coolers).
Main Results:
- Detailed presentation of fundamentals and examples for each strategy.
- Identification of key links between material design and thermoelectric performance.
- Discussion of controversies and challenges in the field.
Conclusions:
- The review provides a roadmap for advancing thermoelectric materials and devices.
- Understanding structure-property relationships is key to optimization.
- Future outlook focuses on overcoming current limitations and exploring new avenues.
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