Prospects of creating efficient thermoelectric materials based on the achievements of nanotechnology

Abstract

The elaboration of low-dimensional thermoelectric structures has been shown to allow an increase in the efficiency of thermoelectric materials by the end of the 20th century. The achievements in nanotechnology open up new opportunities in searching for prospective thermoelectric materials and structures. The physical aspects in the creation of low-dimensional thermoelectric structures have been reviewed. The capabilities of developing technologies for the synthesis of thermoelectric structures on the basis of superlattices, quantum wires, and quantum dots have been analyzed. The methods of fabrication and advances in the elaboration of nanocomposite thermoelectric materials have been discussed. The problems in the production of second-generation nanocomposites and their possible solutions have been considered. The methods for diagnosing low-dimensional thermoelectric structures are presented, as well.