ausblenden:
Schlagwörter:
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Zusammenfassung:
The coupled transport properties required to create an efficient
thermoelectric material necessitates a thorough understanding of the
relationship between the chemistry and physics in a solid. We approach
thermoelectric material design using the chemical intuition provided by
molecular orbital diagrams, tight binding theory, and a classic
understanding of bond strength. Concepts such as electronegativity, band
width, orbital overlap, bond energy, and bond length are used to explain
trends in electronic properties such as the magnitude and temperature
dependence of band gap, carrier effective mass, and band degeneracy and
convergence. The lattice thermal conductivity is discussed in relation
to the crystal structure and bond strength, with emphasis on the
importance of bond length. We provide an overview of how symmetry and
bonding strength affect electron and phonon transport in solids, and how
altering these properties may be used in strategies to improve
thermoelectric performance.