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Research progress of p-type Fe-based skutterudite thermoelectric materials

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Abstract

Filled skutterudite is currently one of the most promising intermediate-temperature thermoelectric (TE) materials, having good thermoelectric transport performance and excellent mechanical properties. For the preparation of high-efficiency filled skutterudite TE devices, it is important to have p- and n-type filled skutterudite TE materials with matching performance. However, the current TE properties of p-type Fe-based filled skutterudite materials are worse than n-type filled skutterudite materials. Therefore, how to obtain high-performance p-type Fe-based filled skutterudite materials is the key to preparation of high-efficiency skutterudite-based TE devices. This review summarizes some methods for optimizing the thermal transport performance of p-type filled skutterudite materials at the atomic-molecular and nano-mesoscopic scale that have been used in recent years. These methods include doping, multi-atom filling, and use of low-dimensional structure and of nanocomposite. In addition, the synergistic optimization methods of the electrical and thermal transport parameters and advanced preparation technologies of p-type filled skutterudite materials in recent years are also briefly summarized. These optimizational methods and advanced preparation technologies can significantly improve the TE properties of p-type Fe-based filled skutterudite materials.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51872006) and the Anhui University of Technology High-Level Doctoral Student Training Program (DT17200008).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Green Fabrication and Surface Technology of Advanced Metal Materials (Ministry of Education), Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, 243002, China

    Xin Tong, Zhiyuan Liu, Jianglong Zhu, Ting Yang, Yonggui Wang & Ailin Xia

  2. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, 243002, China

    Xin Tong, Zhiyuan Liu, Jianglong Zhu, Ting Yang, Yonggui Wang & Ailin Xia

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  2. Zhiyuan Liu
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  3. Jianglong Zhu
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  4. Ting Yang
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  5. Yonggui Wang
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  6. Ailin Xia
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Correspondence to Zhiyuan Liu.

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Tong, X., Liu, Z., Zhu, J. et al. Research progress of p-type Fe-based skutterudite thermoelectric materials. Front. Mater. Sci. 15, 317–333 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-021-0563-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-021-0563-7

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