Issue 43, 2015

Strong correlation between the crystal structure and the thermoelectric properties of pavonite homologue Cux+yBi5−yCh8 (Ch = S or Se) compounds

Abstract

Complex structured semiconducting compounds are promising thermoelectric materials due to their inherently low thermal conductivities. It has been demonstrated that the limited phonon mean free path with structural complexities such as a large unit cell, disorders, or a variety of atom types resulted in low lattice thermal conductivity. However, there is still a missing piece to elucidate which structural component manipulates the transport properties effectively. Herein we review our recent progress on the thermoelectric properties of the intrinsically disordered system, pavonite homologue Cux+yBi5−yCh8 (Ch = S or Se). Through the controlled tuning of composition and occupancy for each atomic site based on the comprehensive structural analysis, we found that the structural factor (occupancy of interstitial Cu) could be a critical basis for determining both electronic and thermal transport properties. Also, we present a short overview of common structural traits inhibiting phonon propagation in complex structured thermoelectric materials. This consideration outlines a strategy to search for new high performance complex structured thermoelectric materials in relation with the possibilities of their chemical and structural modifications.

Graphical abstract: Strong correlation between the crystal structure and the thermoelectric properties of pavonite homologue Cux+yBi5−yCh8 (Ch = S or Se) compounds

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
02 Aug. 2015
Accepted
02 Okt. 2015
First published
09 Okt. 2015

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2015,3, 11271-11285

Strong correlation between the crystal structure and the thermoelectric properties of pavonite homologue Cux+yBi5−yCh8 (Ch = S or Se) compounds

J. Hwang, M. Oh, K. H. Lee and S. W. Kim, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2015, 3, 11271 DOI: 10.1039/C5TC02388B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements