Effect of order-disorder phase transition, bond anharmonicity and lattice asymmetry on the thermoelectric properties of noble metal based chalcogenides

Abstract

Significant interest has grown recently for energy production, conservation, and management due to emerging global need in more effective means of power generation. Thermoelectric materials can generate electrical energy from waste heat and could play an important role in a global energy management. Advances in thermoelectric materials development has made increased the interest in the field of chemistry, physics and materials engineering. This chapter highlights a brief introduction to thermoelectrics followed by the importance of the research and development in this field. I have discussed the main criteria for good thermoelectric materials, different strategies for tuning the thermoelectric properties and examples of state-of-the-art materials. At the last part of the chapter a general discussion on metal chalcogenide synthesis, characterization, and thermoelectric measurements are presented.