1-2-2 layered zintl-phase thermoelectric materials

As promising thermoelectric (TE) materials, Zintl-phase compounds exhibit relatively large power factor due to high mobility of charge carriers and possess very low lattice thermal conductivity κL that benefits from its complex crystal structure. Among all reported Zintl-phase thermoelectric materials, 1-2-2 layer Zintl compounds (e.g., CaZn₂Sb₂, Mg₃Sb₂, YbMg₂Bi₂, etc.) have been extensively studied. In this chapter, the thermoelectric properties of p-type 1-2-2 Zintl compounds will be summarized, and strategies in improving thermoelectric performance of Zintl materials will be discussed. Subsequently, recently discovered n-type Mg₃Sb₂-based Zintl materials will be discussed. In addition, theoretical calculation on the thermoelectric performance of other n-type 1-2-2 Zintl compounds will be presented.