Energy Filtering of Charge Carriers: Current Trends, Challenges, and Prospects for Thermoelectric Materials. (30th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gayner, Chhatrasal; Amouyal, Yaron
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 30:Number 18(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-05-30
• Subjects: charge carrier scattering -- electronic transport -- energy filtering -- microstructure -- thermoelectric materials; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201901789
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract: Exhaustive attempts are made in recent decades to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials that are utilized for waste heat‐to‐electricity conversion. Energy filtering of charge carriers is directed toward enhancing the material thermopower. This paper focuses on the theoretical concepts, experimental evidence, and the authors' view of energy filtering in the context of thermoelectric materials. Recent studies suggest that not all materials experience this effect with the same intensity. Although this effect theoretically demonstrates improvement of the thermopower, applying it poses certain constraints, which demands further research. Predicated on data documented in literature, the unusual dependence of the thermopower and conductivity upon charge carrier concentrations can be altered through the energy filtering approach. Upon surmounting the physical constraints discussed in this article, thermoelectric materials research may gain a new direction to enhance the power factor and thermoelectric figure of merit. Abstract : Various concepts and paradigms regarding the energy filtering effect are reviewed. Ways to optimize thermoelectric transport via energy filtering are also discussed. The potential of energy filtering for thermoelectric energy conversion is demonstrated.