High three dimensional thermoelectric performance from low dimensional bands

TL;DR

This paper discusses how three-dimensional bulk materials can exhibit two-dimensional thermoelectric behavior, suggesting new avenues for discovering high-performance thermoelectric materials beyond traditional low-dimensional structures.

Contribution

It demonstrates that 3D bulk materials can mimic 2D thermoelectric properties, challenging the conventional focus on low-dimensional systems for thermoelectric enhancement.

Findings

3D materials can behave as 2D in thermoelectric performance

Implications for discovering new thermoelectric materials

Potential for improved thermoelectric efficiency

Abstract

Reduced dimensionality has long been regarded as an important strategy for increasing thermoelectric performance, for example in superlattices and other engineered structures. Here we point out and illustrate by examples that three dimensional bulk materials can be made to behave as if they were two dimensional from the point of view of thermoelectric performance. Implications for the discovery of new practical thermoelectrics are discussed.