Advances in bismuth-telluride-based thermoelectric devices: Progress and challenges
Tianyi Cao,
Xiao-Lei Shi,
Meng Li,
Boxuan Hu,
Wenyi Chen,
Wei-Di Liu,
Wanyu Lyu,
Jennifer MacLeod,
Zhi-Gang Chen
Affiliations
Tianyi Cao
School of Chemistry and Physics and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
Xiao-Lei Shi
School of Chemistry and Physics and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
Meng Li
School of Chemistry and Physics and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
Boxuan Hu
School of Chemistry and Physics and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
Wenyi Chen
School of Chemistry and Physics and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia; School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
Wei-Di Liu
School of Chemistry and Physics and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia; Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
Wanyu Lyu
School of Chemistry and Physics and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
Jennifer MacLeod
School of Chemistry and Physics and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
Zhi-Gang Chen
School of Chemistry and Physics and Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia; Corresponding author.
By effectively converting waste heat into electricity, thermoelectric materials and devices can provide an alternative approach to tackle the energy crisis. Amongst thermoelectric materials, bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) and its derivatives exhibit high figure of merit ZT values in the near-room-temperature region and show great potential for application in thermoelectric devices. Considering the rapid development of Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric materials and their devices in the last few years, a short and systematic review is much needed. Here, we summarize the novel designs, properties, and applications of Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric devices in different contexts, including wearable, portable, implantable, and cross-disciplinary applications. The challenges and outlook for Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric devices are also considered. This work will guide the future development of Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric devices that target broader and more practical applications.
