Recent advances and challenges in thermoelectrics toward near-room-temperature and high-temperature applications

Abstract

Thermoelectric (TE) materials offer significant potential for sustainable energy conversion. Their practical implementation, however, is strongly governed by temperature-dependent performance, which dictates their suitability for specific application domains. The applications are typically categorized into near-room-temperature, mid-temperature, and high-temperature regimes, each demanding distinct material characteristics. In recent years, research has increasingly focused on two key directions: near-room-temperature systems for solid-state cooling and small temperature-gradient power generation, and high-temperature materials for power generation in extreme environments such as deep-space applications. Despite remarkable improvements in the figure of merit (zT) achieved through targeted optimization strategies, critical challenges related to practical applications remain across the entire temperature range, including resource sustainability, thermal stability, and scalable manufacturing. Meanwhile, advances in theoretical calculations are accelerating the integration of theory and practical synthesis, offering new pathways for rational material design. This review provides a timely and comprehensive overview of global progress in TE research over the past five years, with a particular focus on recent advances in near-room-temperature and high-temperature materials. By analyzing the new compositions, new mechanisms, and promising applications for representative systems, it outlines future directions for developing next-generation TE materials toward sustainable energy applications.