查看文章

Thermoelectrics is attractive as a green and sustainable way for harnessing waste heat and cooling applications. Designing high performance thermoelectrics involves navigating the complex interplay between electronic and heat transports. This fundamentally involves understanding the scattering physics of both electrons and phonons, as well as maximizing symmetry-breaking in entropy and electronic transports. In the last two decades, thermoelectrics have progressed in leaps and bounds thanks to parallel advancements in scientific technologies and physical understandings. Figure of merit zT of 2 and above have been consistently reported in various materials, especially Chalcogenides. In this review, we provide a broad picture of physically driven optimization strategies for thermoelectric materials, with emphasis on electronic transport aspect of inorganic materials. We also discuss and analyzes various …