Research Update: Cu–S based synthetic minerals as efficient thermoelectric materials at medium temperatures

Abstract

Synthetic minerals and related systems based on Cu–S are attractive thermoelectric (TE) materials because of their environmentally benign characters and high figures of merit at around 700 K. This overview features the current examples including kesterite, binary copper sulfides, tetrahedrite, colusite, and chalcopyrite, with emphasis on their crystal structures and TE properties. This survey highlights the superior electronic properties in the p-type materials as well as the close relationship between crystal structures and thermophysical properties. We discuss the mechanisms of high power factor and low lattice thermal conductivity, approaching higher TE performances for the Cu–S based materials.