Wet chemical synthesis and thermoelectric properties of V-VI one- and two-dimensional nanostructures

Abstract

Recent advances in both theoretical and experimental studies on optimizing thermoelectric performance have proved to greatly benefit from nanostructure engineering. As a class of materials with the best thermoelectric properties near room temperature, V-VI alloy nanostructures, especially Bi₂Te₃ and its alloy with Sb, Se and so on, have attracted a broad interest. This perspective gives an overview of the progress in the wet chemical synthesis and property study of V-VI related one- and two-dimensional nanostructures. First, we discuss the preparation of one-dimensional nanowires/tubes, axial and radial modulated heterostructures, and two-dimensional platelet-like structures through various chemical routes. Then, we attempt to give a general outlook on the thermoelectric properties of V-VI single nanowires, and nanostructured films or bulk nanocomposites made of these chemically synthesized nanostructures. On the basis of the research in the synthetic methods and thermoelectric properties, the challenging issues and future research directions are briefly discussed. By no means is this a comprehensive coverage of V-VI related nanostructures, but a selection of those studies that could benefit the advance of thermoelectric properties of this material system in the near future.