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

Qianhui Lou, Jiayan Gong, Zizheng Zang, Sheng Qian, Yu Liu, Yu Zhang, Yuechu Wang, Shen Han, Chenguang Fu and Tiejun Zhu

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2026, 55, 2265
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Advances in Mg3Sb2 thermoelectric materials and devices

Jing Tang, Vaskuri C. S. Theja, Kejia Liu, Vaithinathan Karthikeyan and Yue Chen

Nanoscale, 2025, 17, 53
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Enhanced thermoelectric performance of Mg3Sb2-based materials by codoping with B and Te

Lijun Zhai, Jian Wang, Lin Cheng, Minghao Lv, Lu Gao, Zhongyuan Yang, Yanli Li, Yan Zhang, Hongxia Liu and Zhigang Sun

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2025, 13, 2689
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Magnetism-induced diffuse scattering effect triggers excellent thermoelectric performance

Wei Song, Chuanqing Sun, Kangkang Yang, Shaoqiu Ke, Xiangyu Li, Mingrui Liu, Congli Sun, Wenyu Zhao and Qingjie Zhang

Energy Environ. Sci., 2024, 17, 5216
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Plastic Mg3(Sb,Bi)2-based thermoelectric compounds with enhanced texture via cold-deformation

Ziming Zhang, Zhiqiang Gao, Tingting Deng, Qingfeng Song, Lidong Chen and Shengqiang Bai

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 8893
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Advances and challenges for Mg3(Sb,Bi)2-based thermoelectric materials and devices

Yu Yan, Wen Zhang, Huijun Kang, Zongning Chen, Enyu Guo, Rongchun Chen and Tongmin Wang

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2026, 14, 9065
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High-performance MgAgSb/Mg3(Sb,Bi)2-based thermoelectrics with η = 12% at T ≤ 583K

Xiaofan Zhang, Hangtian Zhu, Xuejuan Dong, Zhen Fan, Yuan Yao, Nan Chen, Jiawei Yang, Kaiwei Guo, Jiazheng Hao, Lunhua He, Guodong Li and Huaizhou Zhao

Joule, 2024, 8, 3324
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Thermo‐Electro‐Magnetic Interactions and ≈1 nm Fe Interfacial Layer Realize High Average ZT in Fe/Mg3(Sb,Bi)2 Below 300 °C

Kangpeng Jin, Haonan Nie, Fengxian Gao, Jiang‐Jiang Ma, Mingfang Shu, Xi Yan, Zhen‐Hua Ge, Xiao Gao, Weiyun Zhao, Ming Liu, Yuan Yu, Jie Ma, Biao Xu and Liangwei Fu

Adv Funct Materials, 2025, 35
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Insights into enhanced thermoelectric performance of the n-type Mg3Sb2-based materials by amphoteric Al doping

Qiang Zhang, Huijun Li, Nagendra S. Chauhan, Lifei Wang, Wenhao Fan, Shaoping Chen, Jianfeng Fan and Yuzuru Miyazaki

Materials Today Energy, 2024, 44, 101656
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A new frontier in thermoelectrics: Emerging materials and pathways to high performance

Uday M. Basheer Al-Naib

Materials Today Energy, 2025, 54, 102076
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Spinodal decomposition promoting high thermoelectric performance in half-Heusler

Sichen Duan, Xin Bao, Jiawei Huang, Rongpei Shi, Linfeng Fei, Wenhua Xue, Honghao Yao, Xiaofang Li, Jian Wang, Xingjun Liu, Jun Mao, Feng Cao, Yumei Wang and Qian Zhang

Joule, 2025, 9, 101854
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Lead-free GeTe alloys with high thermoelectric performance for low-grade waste heat energy harvesting

Haiqi Li, Chen Chen, Jinxuan Cheng, Yuanhang Xia, Shuang Lyu, Kejia Liu, Wenhua Xue, Dongyi Shen, Wenxuan Wang, Qian Zhang and Yue Chen

Nano Energy, 2025, 136, 110690
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Electron Injection and Lattice Softening Lead to High Average ZT of n‐Type Mg3(Sb, Bi)2/Cr and Efficient Full‐Zintl Thermoelectric Module

Jie Huang, Kangpeng Jin, Chen Li, Hao Yang, Yiming Zhang, Xiyang Wang, Ming Huang, Zhen‐Hua Ge and Liangwei Fu

Small, 2026, 22
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A critical review of Mg3Sb2-based thermoelectric materials

Hezhang Li, Jingwei Li, Md All Amin Newton, Jincheng Yu, Chen Chen, Zizhuang He, Lu Chen, Zhengqin Wang, Zhicheng Huang, Kei Hayashi, Yuzuru Miyazaki, Chao Wang and Jing-Feng Li

Appl. Phys. Express, 2026, 19, 020101
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Chemical bonding manipulation unlocks high performance ionic-bonded thermoelectrics

Haiqi Li, Shuang Lyu, Xiaofang Li, Yuanhang Xia, Kejia Liu, Yuxin Sun, Minglong Wang, Jinxuan Cheng, Wenxuan Wang, Dongyi Shen, Huajian Wu, Chen Chen, Qian Zhang and Yue Chen

Nat Commun, 2026
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Phase purification for enhanced room-temperature ductility in complex bulk thermoelectric materials

Kelin Shen, Zhengyang Zhou, Jiali Zhou, Yang Zhang, Yiling Huang, Haijun Wu, Pengfei Qiu and Xun Shi

Acta Materialia, 2026, 305, 121858
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Toward Efficient Thermoelectric Materials and Devices: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities

Xiao-Lei Shi, Nan-Hai Li, Meng Li and Zhi-Gang Chen

Chem. Rev., 2025, 125, 7525
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High throughput screen of thermoelectric performance of Y and B co-doped Mg3SbBi via built-in temperature gradient effect

Pengfei Fan, Siqi Lin, Ju Yang, Shiyun Wang, Xiaotang Yang, Zhenjia Liu and Min Jin

Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2025, 1043, 184090
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Unified contact layer and low-temperature transient liquid phase interconnection for high-performance all-Mg-based thermoelectric devices

Shanghao Chen, Tianyu Zhang, Jinxuan Cheng, Baopeng Ma, Xiaojing Ma, Xiaofang Li, Li Yin, Linmao Wen, Jun Mao, Feng Cao and Qian Zhang

National Science Review, 2025, 12
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Thermoelectric Nanocomposites and Segmented Single-Leg Device Based on GeTe and (Bi,Sb)2Te3

Lawrence Yongo Methodius Emiliano, Yilin Jiang, Hua-Lu Zhuang, Hezhang Li, Chen Chen, Su-Wei Zhang, Yuzuru Miyazaki and Jing-Feng Li

Materials, 2026, 19, 1345
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Enhancement of Thermoelectric Performance in Mg3(Sb, Bi)2 via Dual Doping of Cations and Anions

Yuxin Sun, Jianbo Zhu, Xianghong Zhou, Yuxuan Yang, Jiayue Du, Yuanhang Xia, Zhiyuan Yu, Hao Wu, Tianle Xie, Fengkai Guo, Haijun Wu, Jiehe Sui and Yue Chen

Adv Funct Materials, 2026, 36
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Wiedemann–Franz law and thermoelectric inequalities: Effective ZT and single-leg efficiency overestimation

Byungki Ryu, Seunghyun Oh, Wabi Demeke, Jaywan Chung, Jongho Park, Nirma Kumari, Aadil Fayaz Wani, Seunghwa Ryu and SuDong Park

Journal of Applied Physics, 2025, 137
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PbSe Thermoelectrics: Efficient Candidates for Power Generation and Cooling

Shibo Liu, Bingchao Qin and Li‐Dong Zhao

Advanced Energy Materials, 2025, 15
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A large-area thermoelectric generator fabricated by direct bonding of Mg/Cu double metal foils on sintered Mg3(Sb,Bi)2

Sung-Jae Joo, Ji-Hee Son, Jeongin Jang, JongHo Park and Bong-Seo Kim

J Mater Sci: Mater Electron, 2025, 36
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Interface kinetic manipulation enabling efficient and reliable Mg3Sb2 thermoelectrics

Yuntian Fu, Xin Ai, Zhongliang Hu, Shuhan Zhao, Xiaofang Lu, Jian Huang, Aibin Huang, Lianjun Wang, Qihao Zhang and Wan Jiang

Nat Commun, 2024, 15
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A universal approach to high-performance thermoelectric module design for power generation

Jinxuan Cheng, Wenhua Xue, Tianyu Zhang, Xiaofang Li, Yichen Zhu, Li Yin, Honghao Yao, Zixuan Fu, Longzhi Wu, Chen Chen, Peng Zhao, Xiaojing Ma, Feng Jiang, Xiaodong Wang, Mingyu Li, Jun Mao, Yumei Wang, Feng Cao and Qian Zhang

Joule, 2025, 9, 101818
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Advanced GeTe‐Based Thermoelectrics: Charting the Path from Performance Optimization to Devices

Yang Jin, Yuting Qiu, Caofeng Pan and Li‐Dong Zhao

Advanced Materials, 2025, 37
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Grain boundary modulation improved thermal stability of high thermoelectric performance Mg3(Sb,Bi)2-based compounds

Ziming Zhang, Chen Ming, Qingfeng Song, Lei Wang, Hanbing Chen, Jincheng Liao, Chao Wang, Lidong Chen and Shengqiang Bai

Acta Materialia, 2025, 287, 120806
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Enhanced strength and plasticity with high thermoelectric performance in Mg3(Sb, Bi)2 by microstructure design

Lifeng Jiang, Shuyue Tan, Tongzheng Xin, Peng Xie, Shuyan Shi, Donghu Zhou, Jiehe Sui, Shijian Zheng, Zongning Chen, Enyu Guo, Rongchun Chen, Huijun Kang, Ming Liu, Yuan Yu and Tongmin Wang

Materials Today, 2026, 93, 103207
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Composite engineering generates high-performance Mg3Bi1.4Sb0.6-based thermoelectric composites

Yu Yan, Saichao Cao, Xiaowei Shi, Wen Zhang, XingHui Wang, Jian Liang, Huijun Kang, Zongning Chen, Enyu Guo, Rongchun Chen and Tongmin Wang

Acta Materialia, 2025, 298, 121394
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Heavy doping driven ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity and mechanical enhancement in Mg3(Bi, Sb)2 for efficient power generation

Xingyan Dong, Lei Jiao, Haoyang Tong, Hao Wu, Hao Liang, Xinyu Zhang, Lankun Wang, Qinzhen Wen, Ming Liu, Zhenhua Ge, Fengkai Guo, Ding Luo, Yu-Ke Zhu, Zihang Liu, Wei Cai and Jiehe Sui

Acta Materialia, 2025, 300, 121451
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Mg3(Sb,Bi)2-based materials and devices rivaling bismuth telluride for thermoelectric power generation and cooling

Sahiba Bano, Raju Chetty, Jayachandran Babu and Takao Mori

Device, 2024, 2, 100408
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Lattice Plainification Leads to High Thermoelectric Performance of P‐Type PbSe Crystals

Shibo Liu, Yi Wen, Shulin Bai, Haonan Shi, Yongxin Qin, Bingchao Qin, Dongrui Liu, Qian Cao, Xiang Gao, Lizhong Su, Cheng Chang, Xiao Zhang and Li‐Dong Zhao

Advanced Materials, 2024, 36
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Preparation of p-type GeMnTe2 Based Thermoelectric Materials with Stable Cubic Phase

Haifeng ZHANG, Meng JIANG, Tingting SUN, Lianjun WANG and Wan JIANG

Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2025, 40, 1245
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General Screening Rules and Segmented Optimization Strategy for Efficient Thermoelectric Devices Validated by Mg3(Sb,Bi)2/Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3‐GeTe Module

Kai‐Yu Yang, Xiaoyuan Li, Yuanxin Jiang, Liangliang Wang, Kai Guo, Lei Miao, Junliang Chen, Jiye Zhang, Lin Li, Yusong Du, Guang‐Hui Rao, Jun Luo and Jing‐Tai Zhao

Advanced Science, 2025, 12
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Analytical optimization of thermoelectric generators under constant heat flux: An explicit bridge between practical application requirements and device design

Youhong Liu, Yingzeng Zhang, Haodong Chen, Qingpei Xiang and Fanhua Hao

Energy Conversion and Management, 2026, 357, 121412
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Low Thermal Conductivity Contributes to High Thermoelectric Performance: A Review

Haolin Ye and Chongjian Zhou

Acta Metall. Sin. (Engl. Lett.), 2025, 38, 720
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Homogenizing composition to achieve high-performance Mg3Bi2-type thermoelectrics

Longquan Wang, Airan Li, Jiankang Li, Naoyuki Kawamoto, Duy Hieu Nguyen and Takao Mori

Nano Energy, 2025, 137, 110797
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Local reaction-global diffusion unlocks high-performance Mg3(Sb,Bi)2-based thermoelectrics

Zhen Fan, Yi Wang, Tenglong Lu, Xiaofan Zhang, Jiawei Yang, Kaiwei Guo, Joseph Woods, Gang Wang, Xiaoyan Niu, Qi Zhao, Xiaowei Wu, Fankai Xie, Xin Zhong, Nan Lin, Hangtian Zhu, Lunhua He, Miao Liu, Yuan Yu, Yuan Yao, Duncan H. Gregory and Huaizhou Zhao

Science Bulletin, 2026, 71, 1043
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Dual Band Optimization and Defect Engineering Enable Ultrahigh Thermoelectric Performance in Filled Skutterudites

Xuri Rao, Jianrui Wang, Xiao‐Bo Tan, Rui‐Heng Li, Huangshui Ma, Yu Yin, Fan Feng, Pingan Song, Min Hong, Jiaqing He and Ran Ang

Advanced Energy Materials, 2026
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Low thermal conductivity and enhanced thermoelectric properties of Cu-substituted Bi2-xCuxSr2Co2Oy ceramics

Yingying Xu, Mengyao Li, Yingjiu Zhang, Hongzhang Song and Haoshan Hao

Ceramics International, 2024, 50, 42404
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Bioinspired energy-free temperature gradient regulator for significant enhancement of thermoelectric conversion efficiency

Haohan Tan, Yuqian Zhao, Peng Jin, Xiang Xu, Xinchen Zhou, Fabio Marchesoni and Jiping Huang

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 2025, 122
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Defect-Energy-Targeted Lattice Repair Delivers High Thermoelectric Performance in Magnesium Antimonide

Jiahao Jiang, Minhui Yuan, Yuntian Fu, Yanqi Huang, Wenjie Li, Jingyi Lyu, Zeqing Hu, Shenghua Liu, Ran He, Yanglong Hou and Jing Shuai

J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2026, 148, 12333
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Geometry Optimization Strategies for Dual Enhancement of Power and Efficiency in All‐Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5 Thermoelectric Devices

Jayachandran Babu, Raju Chetty and Takao Mori

Small, 2026, 22
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Promoting p‐Type PbS as Efficient Candidates for Thermoelectric Cooling and Power Generation

Suyao Liu, Shulin Bai, Tian Gao, Dongrui Liu, Yu Tian, Yichen Li, Jiayi Peng, Dezheng Gao, Siqi Wang, Lizhong Su, Bingchao Qin and Li‐Dong Zhao

Adv Funct Materials, 2026, 36
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Thermally Stable, Low‐Resistance Cu Alloy Contacts for Mg3(Sb, Bi)2 Thermoelectric Materials by Two‐Step Contacting

Muhammad Fasih Aamir, Jayachandran Babu, Raju Chetty and Takao Mori

Small Structures, 2026, 7
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Interstitials in Thermoelectrics

Liqing Xu, Zhanxiang Yin, Yu Xiao and Li‐Dong Zhao

Advanced Materials, 2024, 36
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Aniline Tetramer Nanowires/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Composites for High-Performance Thermoelectric Materials

Hao-Han Zhou, Hui Zhang, Ze-Miao Xiong, Yun-Fei Zhang and Fei-Peng Du

Energy Mater Adv, 2024, 5
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Superior carrier mobility and ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity endow high thermoelectric performance in Se–Er co-doped Mg3Bi1.4Sb0.6

Yu Yan, Wen Zhang, Qixiang Zhang, Xiaowei Shi, Hongda Song, Fengkai Guo, Huijun Kang, Zongning Chen, Enyu Guo, Rongchun Chen, Jianbo Zhu and Tongmin Wang

Materials Today Chemistry, 2025, 48, 102945
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