Pushing the limit of synergy in SnTe-based thermoelectric materials leading to an ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity and enhanced <i>ZT</i>

Kihoi, Samuel Kimani; Shenoy, Sulakshana; Kahiu, Joseph N; Kim, Hyunji; Bhat, D. Krishna; Lee, Ho Seong

doi:10.1039/d3se00068k

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Most importantly, research on high performance over a wide temperature range, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly thermoelectric materials has continued to muster significant interest. Archetypal examples are the exemplary SnTe and GeTe, which are some of the chalcogenide materials. − To enhance the thermoelectric performance of these materials, strategies such as band engineering (band gap enlargement, , band convergence, hyperconvergence, , flat bands, and resonant doping , ), phonon engineering, , microstructural control, − modulation doping, entropy engineering, − and recently metavalent bonding , have been successfully adopted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A unique and straightforward means of compositing the ternary phase in SnTe with the induced effects of increased entropy is hereby illustrated. It is believed that having SnTe-CuInTe 2 composite materials introduces the principle of combined action, owing to the contrasting difference in the properties of SnTe ,,, and CuInTe 2 − as summarized in Table . As a result, the TE properties of SnTe are expected to favorably benefit from the dispersed secondary phase.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Enhanced Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of SnTe through Equimolar Multication Alloying for Suitable Device Applications

Kihoi,

Shenoy,

Kim

et al. 2024

ACS Appl. Energy Mater.

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With the ever-growing demand for eco-friendly energy sources to mitigate the global rising temperatures, the universal insatiable need for sustainable and efficient energy sources are earnestly being intensively sought after. The ubiquitous heat within, if successfully tapped, is an utterly promising source of energy. To achieve this, a thermoelectric device (TED) is needed. To enhance the conversion efficiency from heat to useful electrical power, we developed a strategy to improve the thermoelectric performance of the materials involved. In this work, equimolar multication alloying (EMMCA) is proposed for the first time and employed to enhance the performance of SnTe-based thermoelectric materials. Beyond the cation's solubility limit, in situ compositing is observed with an increasing doping ratio, whereby distinct CuInTe 2 ternary second phases are dispersed within the SnTe matrix. The electronic properties of the ensuing alloy are significantly enhanced by the resulting carrier concentration modulation and the unique electronic band engineering. A decrease in the thermal transport properties is likewise reported, benefiting from enhanced phonon scattering and diminished electronic contribution. The mechanical properties are also shown to increase with increased alloying. As a result, single-leg TED performance shows substantial output power in comparison with the pristine sample. The outcomes stemming from EMMCA are documented as significantly impactful, contributing to superior overall thermoelectric performance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of SnTe through Equimolar Multication Alloying for Suitable Device Applications

Kihoi,

Shenoy,

Kim

et al. 2024

ACS Appl. Energy Mater.

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“…There have been a few reports of layered AB 2 Te 4 (A = Sn, Pb; B = Sb, Bi) ternary compounds that reveal their perspective as high-performance thermoelectrics, either through first principles-based transport theory or experiments. − These layered compounds have a rhombohedral crystal structure ( R 3̅ m ), where septuple (7 atoms) layers are stacked along the c -axis with van der Waals interactions between the layers . There exists a huge potential for improving the thermoelectric properties of these layered materials in comparison to other state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials such as SnTe, − GeTe, − PbTe, half-Heuslers, , and among others.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tailoring the Thermoelectric Performance of the Layered Topological Insulator SnSb₂Te₄ through Bi Positional Doping at the Sn and Sb Cation Sites

Kihoi

Shenoy²,

Kahiu

et al. 2023

ACS Appl. Electron. Mater.

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Ongoing research and development focus on emerging thermoelectric materials with enhanced performance, continually making the possibility of waste heat recovery a reality. In this work, we engineer the thermoelectric properties of the layered SnSb2Te4 topological insulators. To date, there is little research reporting on these materials as potential state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials. Thus, there is a need to formulate effective strategies to realize this potential. Since these materials are known to have intrinsically low lattice thermal conductivity, we shift our attention to improving the electrical transport properties. For the first time, positional Bi doping at both the Sn and Sb cation sites is adopted. The aliovalent and isovalent nature of Bi at these sites, respectively, is shown to cause significant improvements in the performance of these layered materials. The electronic band structure of the pure and doped samples, where we considered various occupancies, is studied whereby we reveal the occurrence of band convergence and resonant levels resulting in a high power factor of ∼10.8 μW cm–1 K–2 at 623 K. Overall, a high ZT of ∼0.46 at a relatively lower temperature of 673 K is recorded. The potential of these materials for thermoelectric applications is shown, especially in the case of Bi doping at the Sn cation site. Continued efforts to enhance the thermoelectric performance of these topological insulators are needed for them to gain a substantial competitive edge in comparison to other state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials.

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Recent Progress in SnTe: An Eco‐Friendly and High‐Performance Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Material

Kihoi,

Yang,

Lee

2024

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Recent advances in high‐performance thermoelectric materials have sparked significant interest, particularly in SnTe, a mid‐temperature group‐IV chalcogenide that is both eco‐friendly and cost‐effective. However, compared to other group‐IV chalcogenides, there remains a substantial scope for enhancing the thermoelectric performance of SnTe. In the past four years (since 2020), numerous compelling reports have proposed novel strategies to narrow this gap and boost the performance of SnTe‐based materials, thereby building upon previous advancements. These recent advancements are comprehensively summarized in this timely review. This review reports three essential facets critical to the advancement of high‐performance SnTe materials: electrical properties, thermal properties, and the overly overlooked mechanical properties. First, a brief theoretical exposition is presented, subsequently detailing empirically verified techniques for achieving superior SnTe‐based materials. The intrinsic prevalence of tin vacancies (VSn) in SnTe classifies it as a p‐type thermoelectric material. Here, it is unveiled for the first time, recent significant breakthroughs in the development of n‐type SnTe. This advancement enables the development of an all‐SnTe‐based thermoelectric device. Additional attention is devoted to emerging trends that further amplify the performance of SnTe. With persistent efforts, achieving a ZT greater than 2 in SnTe‐based materials is inevitable.

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Pushing the limit of synergy in SnTe-based thermoelectric materials leading to an ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity and enhanced ZT

Abstract: In the era of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy requirements, alternative sources of energy continue to be fervently sought after. Heat recovery into useful electrical energy from waste heat offers...

Cited by 9 publications

References 78 publications

Enhanced Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of SnTe through Equimolar Multication Alloying for Suitable Device Applications

Enhanced Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of SnTe through Equimolar Multication Alloying for Suitable Device Applications

Tailoring the Thermoelectric Performance of the Layered Topological Insulator SnSb₂Te₄ through Bi Positional Doping at the Sn and Sb Cation Sites

Recent Progress in SnTe: An Eco‐Friendly and High‐Performance Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Material

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Pushing the limit of synergy in SnTe-based thermoelectric materials leading to an ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity and enhanced ZT

Abstract: In the era of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy requirements, alternative sources of energy continue to be fervently sought after. Heat recovery into useful electrical energy from waste heat offers...

Cited by 9 publications

References 78 publications

Enhanced Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of SnTe through Equimolar Multication Alloying for Suitable Device Applications

Enhanced Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of SnTe through Equimolar Multication Alloying for Suitable Device Applications

Tailoring the Thermoelectric Performance of the Layered Topological Insulator SnSb2Te4 through Bi Positional Doping at the Sn and Sb Cation Sites

Recent Progress in SnTe: An Eco‐Friendly and High‐Performance Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Material

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Tailoring the Thermoelectric Performance of the Layered Topological Insulator SnSb₂Te₄ through Bi Positional Doping at the Sn and Sb Cation Sites