Phonon engineering significantly reducing thermal conductivity of thermoelectric materials: a review

Lattice thermal conductivity, κL, is a fundamental parameter for evaluating the performance of thermoelectric materials. However, the predicted value of κL based on the Debye dispersion model is often overestimated compared with the experimentally determined value.Many researchers have attempted to modify the theoretical model and have sought more reliable results. In this review,the recent progress in the study of phonon dispersion models is summarized and we propose that the lattice thermal conductivity can be most accurately determined by using the modified sinusoidal phonon dispersion model.Moreover, experimental methods that have the potential to reduce a thermoelectric material’s κLare reviewed, for example, methods that generate standing waves or anharmonic lattice vibrations. A high concentration of standing waves and anharmonic lattice vibrations can effectively suppress excessive κL. Finally, this review presents the challenges of sinusoidal phonon dispersion when applied to real materials, which are often complicated and therefore time-consuming, especially when dealing with material defects.