A review on structural characteristics and thermoelectric properties of mid-temperature range Chalcogenide-based thermoelectric materials

Abstract

Abstract Several affordable and pollution-free technologies have drawn a lot of attention because of the pressure of our energy needs and environmental problems; among these, thermoelectric technology has made enormous advances. It has been known that thermoelectric materials are efficient in transforming waste heat energy into electricity. The efficiency of thermoelectric materials is typically assessed using the ZT value, ZT = S2T/ρκ. Several methods have been highlighted in the literature for improving thermoelectric figure of merit. This review stands out for its particular emphasis on cutting-edge techniques that are leading to a new era of thermoelectric innovation, including doping, co-doping, alloying, nanostructuring, and nanocompositing. Our focus is on mid-temperature range thermoelectric materials, which operate between 500 and 900 K and have enormous potential for high-efficiency thermoelectricity and waste heat recovery due to their inherent thermal and electrical properties. This review provides a foundational understanding of thermoelectric concepts as well as obstacles to improving the figure of merit and the various classes of mid-temperature range thermoelectric materials, including their structure and thermoelectric characteristics are discussed in brief. Additionally, it also discusses different methods described in the various literature regarding enhancing performance as well as recent advancements made in this area and this article emphasizes the relevance and importance of these developments in the context of urgent global energy challenges and highlights the crucial role that mid-temperature range thermoelectric materials will play in determining the future landscape of sustainable energy sources. To satisfy the practical demand, scientific research in the field of thermoelectricity still needs to be intensified, for this mid-temperature range, Chalcogenide-based thermoelectric materials play a very important role in the future. Graphical abstract