Thermoelectric properties of new Bi-chalcogenide layered compounds

TL;DR

This paper reviews the crystal structure variations and thermoelectric properties of layered Bi-chalcogenide compounds, highlighting their potential for high-performance thermoelectric applications and discussing strategies for further enhancement.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the structural diversity and thermoelectric performance of Bi-chalcogenides, proposing new strategies for improving their efficiency.

Findings

Layered Bi-chalcogenides can achieve ZT = 0.36 at ~650 K.

Structural variations influence thermoelectric properties.

Strategies for performance enhancement are discussed based on experimental and theoretical insights.

Abstract

The layered Bi-chalcogenide compounds have been drawing much attention as a new layered superconductor family since 2012. Due to the rich variation of crystal structure and constituent elements, the development of new physics and chemistry of the layered Bi-chalcogenide family and its applications as functional materials have been expected. Recently, it was revealed that the layered Bi chalcogenides can show a relatively high thermoelectric performance (ZT = 0.36 in LaOBiSSe at ~650 K). Here, we show the crystal structure variation of the Bi-chalcogenide family and their thermoelectric properties. Finally, the possible strategies for enhancing the thermoelectric performance are discussed on the basis of the experimental and the theoretical facts reviewed here.