Chapter 1 - High-Performance Thermoelectric Materials for Solar Energy Application

Abstract

Thermoelectric (TE) materials have the capability of converting heat into electricity, which can improve fuel efficiency as well as provide a robust alternative energy supply in multiple applications by collecting wasted heat, and therefore assist in finding new energy solutions. To construct high-performance TE devices, superior TE materials have to be targeted via various strategies. The development of high-performance TE devices can broaden the market for TE applications and eventually boost the enthusiasm for TE materials research. In this review, we focus on major novel strategies to achieve high-performance TE materials and their solar energy applications. Manipulating the carrier concentration and band structures of materials has been effective in optimizing the electrical transport properties, whereas nanostructure engineering and defect engineering can greatly reduce thermal conductivity approaching the amorphous limit. TE devices have been used to generate power in remote missions, solar-thermal systems, implantable or/wearable devices, the automotive industry, and many other fields; they also serve as temperature sensors and controllers, and even gas sensors. The trend of the future will be to optimize and integrate all effective factors synergistically to improve TE performance further, so that highly efficient TE materials and devices can be more beneficial in our daily lives.