Physics – Condensed Matter – Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Scientific paper
2011-04-08
Physics
Condensed Matter
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
19 pages, 5 figures; Journal of electronic Materials, 2011
Scientific paper
10.1007/s11664-011-1542-z
As a result of suppressed phonon conduction, large improvements of the thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, have been recently reported for nanostructures compared to the raw materials' ZT values. It has also been suggested that low dimensionality can improve a device's power factor as well, offering a further enhancement. In this work the atomistic sp3d5s*-spin-orbit-coupled tight-binding model is used to calculate the electronic structure of silicon nanowires (NWs). The linearized Boltzmann transport theory is applied, including all relevant scattering mechanisms, to calculate the electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and the thermoelectric power factor. We examine n-type nanowires of diameters of 3nm and 12nm, in [100], [110], and [111] transport orientations at different carrier concentrations. Using experimental values for the lattice thermal conductivity in nanowires, the expected ZT value is computed. We find that at room temperature, although scaling the diameter below 7nm can be beneficial to the power factor due to banstructure changes alone, at those dimensions enhanced phonon and surface roughness scattering degrades the conductivity and reduces the power factor.
Kosina Hans
Neophytou Neophytos
No associations
LandOfFree
Thermoelectric Properties of Scaled Silicon Nanowires Using the sp3d5s*-SO Atomistic Tight-Binding Model and Boltzmann Transport 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 Properties of Scaled Silicon Nanowires Using the sp3d5s*-SO Atomistic Tight-Binding Model and Boltzmann Transport, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thermoelectric Properties of Scaled Silicon Nanowires Using the sp3d5s*-SO Atomistic Tight-Binding Model and Boltzmann Transport will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-354312