Advances in half-Heusler alloys for thermoelectric power generation

Abstract

Half-Heusler alloys are leading candidate materials for large scale thermoelectric power generation. In the past decade, substantial improvements have been made to the established n-types based on X_IVNiSn, and exciting new p-types based on X_VFeSb and ZrCoBi have been discovered. This has been achieved through careful experimental work and by increased fundamental insight. In particular, advances in materials synthesis and compositional optimisation guided by empirical modelling have been key to extracting more performance from half-Heuslers alloys. This review summarises recent progress for the main classes of half-Heusler alloys, including their fundamental electronic and thermal properties, processing, and thermoelectric performance. It also incorporates some of the expanding body of work focused on translating materials performance (zT > 1 at 773 K is now routinely possible) into generator devices.