Key properties of inorganic thermoelectric materials – tables (version 1)

This paper presents tables of key thermoelectric properties, which define thermoelectric conversion efficiency, for a wide range of inorganic materials. The 12 families of materials included in these tables are primarily selected on the basis of well established, internationally-recognised performance and their promise for current and future applications: Tellurides, Skutterudites, Half Heuslers, Zintls, Mg-Sb Antimonides, Clathrates, FeGa3–type materials, Actinides and Lanthanides, Oxides, Sulfides, Selenides, Silicides, Borides and Carbides. As thermoelectric properties vary with temperature, data are presented at room temperature to enable ready comparison, and also at a higher temperature appropriate to peak performance. An individual table of data and commentary are provided for each family of materials plus source references for all the data.

Thermoelectric efficiency of anisotropic materials with an application in layered systems

Thermoelectric transport in anisotropic materials is investigated based on most general thermodynamical concepts. Currents and power conversion efficiency are studied in SnSe and SnS in different directions. The design of composites whose thermoelectric performance along different principles directions is the same is proposed. Although such features do not occur naturally, such man-made anisotropic materials can be constructed using bilayers achieving much broadened working conditions of thermoelectric conversion devices. Intricate relationships between the anisotropy and the direction of the electric and heat currents are revealed, which further help us understand how transport occurs in such composites.