Thermoelectric prospects of nanomaterials with spin-orbit surface bands

Details Thermoelectric prospects of nanomaterials with spin-orbit surface bands Thermoelectric prospects of nanomaterials with spin-orbit surface bands

2011-08-16

arxiv.org/abs/1108.3356v1

Physics

Condensed Matter

Materials Science

18 pages, 3 figures

Scientific paper

Nanostructured composites and nanowire arrays of traditional thermoelectrics like Bi, Bi(1-x)Sb(x) and Bi(2)Te(3) have metallic Rashba surface spin-orbit bands featuring high mobilities rivaling that of the bulk for which topological insulator behavior has been proposed. Nearly pure surface electronic transport has been observed at low temperatures in Bi nanowires with diameter around the critical diameter, 50 nm, for the semimetal-to semiconductor transition. The surface contributes strongly to the thermopower, actually dominating for temperatures T < 100 K in these nanowires. The surface thermopower was found to be -1 T microvolt/(K^2), a value that is consistent with theory. We show that surface electronic transport together with boundary phonon scattering leads to enhanced thermoelectric performance at low temperatures of Bi nanowire arrays. We compare with bulk n-BiSb alloys, optimized CsBi(4)Te(6) and optimized Bi(2)Te(3). Surface dominated electronic transport can be expected in nanomaterials of the other traditional thermoelectrics.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Thermoelectric prospects of nanomaterials with spin-orbit surface bands does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Thermoelectric prospects of nanomaterials with spin-orbit surface bands, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thermoelectric prospects of nanomaterials with spin-orbit surface bands will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-539542