Abstract
Currently, the materials with the highest thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) are one-band materials. The presence of both electrons and holes lowers ZT, so two-band materials such as semimetals are not useful thermoelectric materials. However, by preparing these materials in the form of two-dimensional quantum-well superlattices, it is possible to separate the two bands and transform the material to an effectively one-carrier system. We have investigated theoretically the effect of such an approach and our results indicate that a significant increase in ZT may be achieved. We have also evaluated the possibility of using intercalation as a means to achieve an increase in ZT. Our results allow the possibility of using new types of materials as thermoelectric refrigeration elements.
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Hicks, L.D., Dresselhaus, M.S. Use of Quantum-Well Superlattices to Obtain a High Figure of Merit from Nonconventional Thermoelectric Materials. MRS Online Proceedings Library 326, 413–418 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-326-413
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-326-413