# Quantum thermoelectrics based on 2-D Semi-Dirac materials

## TL;DR

This paper investigates how 2D semi-Dirac materials can be optimized for thermoelectric applications by analyzing the effects of a gap parameter on their electronic properties and thermoelectric performance.

## Contribution

It introduces a model linking the gap parameter to thermoelectric efficiency and identifies optimal conditions for thermoelectric performance in semi-Dirac materials.

## Key findings

- The gap parameter influences the thermoelectric figure of merit $zT$.
- Sign change in the Seebeck coefficient occurs around the gap crossing.
- An optimal chemical potential minimizes the power-efficiency trade-off.

## Abstract

We show that a gap parameter can fully describe the merging of Dirac cones in semi-Dirac materials from $K$- and $K^\prime$-points into the common $M$-point in the Brillouin zone. We predict that the gap parameter manifests itself by enhancing the thermoelectric figure of merit $zT$ as the chemical potential crosses the gap followed by a sign change in the Seebeck coefficient around the same point. Subsequently, we show that there is also a trade-off feature between the maximum power delivered and the efficiency when the chemical potential crosses the gap parameter. An optimal operating point that minimizes the power-efficiency trade-off is consequently singled out for the best thermoelectric performance. Our work paves the way for the use of 2D semi-Dirac materials for thermoelectric applications.