Optimal Bandwidth for High Efficiency Thermoelectrics
Abstract
The thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) in narrow conduction bands of different material dimensionalities is investigated for different carrier scattering models. When the bandwidth is zero, the transport distribution function (TDF) is finite, not infinite as previously speculated by Mahan and Sofo [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93, 7436 (1996)], even though the carrier density of states goes to infinity. Such a finite TDF results in a zero electrical conductivity and thus a zero ZT. We point out that the optimal ZT cannot be found in an extremely narrow conduction band. The existence of an optimal bandwidth for a maximal ZT depends strongly on the scattering models and the dimensionality of the material. A nonzero optimal bandwidth for maximizing ZT also depends on the lattice thermal conductivity. A larger maximum ZT can be obtained for materials with a smaller lattice thermal conductivity.
- Authors:
-
- Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
- Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
- Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States). Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Dept. of Physics
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Solid-State Solar-Thermal Energy Conversion Center (S3TEC); Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1387006
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1101241
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0001299; FG02-09ER46577
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Physical Review Letters
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 107; Journal Issue: 22; Related Information: S3TEC partners with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (lead); Boston College; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Journal ID: ISSN 0031-9007
- Publisher:
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 42 ENGINEERING; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Citation Formats
Zhou, Jun, Yang, Ronggui, Chen, Gang, and Dresselhaus, Mildred S. Optimal Bandwidth for High Efficiency Thermoelectrics. United States: N. p., 2011.
Web. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.226601.
Zhou, Jun, Yang, Ronggui, Chen, Gang, & Dresselhaus, Mildred S. Optimal Bandwidth for High Efficiency Thermoelectrics. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.226601
Zhou, Jun, Yang, Ronggui, Chen, Gang, and Dresselhaus, Mildred S. Tue .
"Optimal Bandwidth for High Efficiency Thermoelectrics". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.226601. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1387006.
@article{osti_1387006,
title = {Optimal Bandwidth for High Efficiency Thermoelectrics},
author = {Zhou, Jun and Yang, Ronggui and Chen, Gang and Dresselhaus, Mildred S.},
abstractNote = {The thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) in narrow conduction bands of different material dimensionalities is investigated for different carrier scattering models. When the bandwidth is zero, the transport distribution function (TDF) is finite, not infinite as previously speculated by Mahan and Sofo [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93, 7436 (1996)], even though the carrier density of states goes to infinity. Such a finite TDF results in a zero electrical conductivity and thus a zero ZT. We point out that the optimal ZT cannot be found in an extremely narrow conduction band. The existence of an optimal bandwidth for a maximal ZT depends strongly on the scattering models and the dimensionality of the material. A nonzero optimal bandwidth for maximizing ZT also depends on the lattice thermal conductivity. A larger maximum ZT can be obtained for materials with a smaller lattice thermal conductivity.},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.226601},
journal = {Physical Review Letters},
number = 22,
volume = 107,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Nov 22 00:00:00 EST 2011},
month = {Tue Nov 22 00:00:00 EST 2011}
}
Web of Science
Figures / Tables:
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