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Influence of periodic table in designing solid-state metal chalcogenides for thermoelectric energy conversion

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Abstract

With the apparent burgeoning energy crisis, alternative sources of energies are in a greater need for a sustainable future. Thermoelectrics which can convert waste heat arising from industries, power plants and automobiles into a usable form, electricity; have the potential to be a game-changer in this critical energy shortage. The efficiency of thermoelectric materials which is given by the figure of merit is tricky to manipulate due to the complicated interrelationships of its parameters. But with proper understanding of a material and with the aid of periodic table, one can manoeuvre the shortcomings which hinder its efficiency. In this perspective, we discuss how the properties of materials can be manipulated just by understanding the elements of the periodic table and how each element in their respective position in the periodic table influences the outcome of high performing thermoelectric material.

Graphical abstract

Thermoelectrics being an alternative clean energy solution is important in mitigating the looming energy crisis by converting waste heat into electricity. Here, we show how the periodicity of elements influences the physical properties that govern the efficiency of thermoelectric materials and help us to achieve high-performance thermoelectrics.

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Acknowledgements

M.D. thanks the University Grants Commission (UGC) for funding. We thank SERB and DST for supporting the thermoelectric program in our group.

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Author notes

  1. Ekashmi Rathore and Moinak Dutta have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bangalore, 560 064, Karnataka, India

    Ekashmi Rathore, Moinak Dutta & Kanishka Biswas

  2. School of Advanced Materials and International Centre for Materials Science, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bangalore, 560 064, Karnataka, India

    Kanishka Biswas

Authors
  1. Ekashmi Rathore
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  2. Moinak Dutta
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  3. Kanishka Biswas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kanishka Biswas.

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Special Issue on 150 years of the Periodic Table

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Rathore, E., Dutta, M. & Biswas, K. Influence of periodic table in designing solid-state metal chalcogenides for thermoelectric energy conversion. J Chem Sci 131, 116 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12039-019-1704-8

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