Data-Driven Review of Thermoelectric Materials: Performance and Resource Considerations

TLDR

This review presents a large database of thermoelectric materials compiled from over 100 publications. The authors assembled an 18,000‑point database of thermoelectric properties across many compound classes, measured at multiple temperatures, and computed a Herfindahl–Hirschman index from geological and geopolitical data to assess elemental scarcity. Visualization of the database reveals that promising thermoelectric candidates must have resistivity near 1 mΩ cm at 300 K and enables quick ranking of compositions by elemental scarcity and supply risk.

Abstract

In this review, we describe the creation of a large database of thermoelectric materials prepared by abstracting information from over 100 publications. The database has over 18 000 data points from multiple classes of compounds, whose relevant properties have been measured at several temperatures. Appropriate visualization of the data immediately allows certain insights to be gained with regard to the property space of plausible thermoelectric materials. Of particular note is that any candidate material needs to display an electrical resistivity value that is close to 1 mΩ cm at 300 K, that is, samples should be significantly more conductive than the Mott minimum metallic conductivity. The Herfindahl–Hirschman index, a commonly accepted measure of market concentration, has been calculated from geological data (known elemental reserves) and geopolitical data (elemental production) for much of the periodic table. The visualization strategy employed here allows rapid sorting of thermoelectric compositions with respect to important issues of elemental scarcity and supply risk.