Enhancement of Thermoelectric Efficiency in PbTe by Distortion of the Electronic Density of States

2008/07/24 by Joseph P. Heremans, Vladimir Jovovic, Eric S. Toberer +5 · 32 citations
Materials Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices #Condensed matter physics #Density of states #Doping #Engineering physics #Figure of merit #Lead telluride #Materials science #Optoelectronics #Physics #Seebeck coefficient #Telluride #Thermal conduction #Thermal conductivity #Thermal properties of materials #Thermodynamics #Thermoelectric effect #Thermoelectric materials

paper · doi:10.1126/science.1159725

openalex publication_date 2008/07/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

The efficiency of thermoelectric energy converters is limited by the material thermoelectric figure of merit (zT). The recent advances in zT based on nanostructures limiting the phonon heat conduction is nearing a fundamental limit: The thermal conductivity cannot be reduced below the amorphous limit. We explored enhancing the Seebeck coefficient through a distortion of the electronic density of states and report a successful implementation through the use of the thallium impurity levels in lead telluride (PbTe). Such band structure engineering results in a doubling of zT in p-type PbTe to above 1.5 at 773 kelvin. Use of this new physical principle in conjunction with nanostructuring to lower the thermal conductivity could further enhance zT and enable more widespread use of thermoelectric systems.

Citations

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• Quantum Dot Superlattice Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
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