AUTHOR=Wu Tingjun , Kim Jiwon , Lim Jae-Hong , Kim Min-Seok , Myung Nosang V. 

TITLE=Comprehensive Review on Thermoelectric Electrodeposits: Enhancing Thermoelectric Performance Through Nanoengineering

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2021.762896

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2021.762896

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=Thermoelectric power generators and coolers have many advantages over conventional refrigerator and power generators such as solid-state operation, compact, vast scalability, zero-emissions and long operating lifetime with minimum maintenance. However, the applications of thermoelectric devices have been limited where their unique advantages outweigh their low efficiency. There is a reinvigorated interest in the field of thermoelectrics in the 21st century because of the need of sustainable energy harvesting technology and the ability to develop higher performance thermoelectric materials through nanoscale science and defect engineering. Among various fabrication methods, electrodeposition is one of the most promising synthesis methods to fabricate devices because of its ability to control morphology, composition, crystallinity, and crystal structure of materials through controlling electrodeposition parameters.  Additionally, it is an additive manufacturing technique with minimum waste materials that operates at near room temperature. Furthermore, its growth rate is significantly higher (i.e., a few hundred microns per hour) than the vacuum processes, which allows device fabrication in cost effective matter. In this paper, the latest development of various electrodeposited thermoelectric materials (i.e., Te, PbTe, Bi2Te3 and their derivatives, BiSe, BiS, Sb2Te3) in different forms including thin films, nanowires, and nanocomposites were comprehensively reviewed. Additionally, their thermoelectric properties are correlated to the composition, morphology, and crystal structure.