TY - JOUR AU - Hao, Xinxing AU - Chen, Xinqi AU - Zhou, Xing AU - Zhang, Lin AU - Tao, Junhui AU - Wang, Chuanhui AU - Wu, Tian AU - Dai, Wei PY - 2021 M3 - Mini Review TI - Performance Optimization for PbTe-Based Thermoelectric Materials JO - Frontiers in Energy Research UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2021.754532 VL - 9 SN - 2296-598X N2 - Thermoelectric material is a kind of functional material that uses the movement of carriers inside a solid to realize the direct mutual conversion of heat and electric energy. It provides a safe, reliable, pollution-free, noise-free, all-solid-state power generation and cooling method and has a wide range of application prospects. Among them, the characteristics of low valence band degeneracy, low effective quality of conduction band, strong phonon non-harmonicity, simple crystal structure and adjustable microstructure have made PbTe-based materials the focus of research in the thermoelectric field. In this review, two latest strategies to improve the thermoelectric properties of PbTe-based materials are discussed, and the challenges for the further development of PbTe-based thermoelectric materials and the prospects for the future are also outlined. ER -