Origins of ultralow thermal conductivity in novel Mg-based thermoelectrics

November 4, 2021

Our study of the atomistic origins of the beneficial ultralow thermal conductivity in novel Mg-based thermoelectrics with Zintl structure Mg3Sb2 and Mg3Bi2 was recently published in Science Advances. Congratulations to Jingxuan who led this study! The project used a combination of neutron scattering measurements at Oak Ridge National Lab, inelastic x-ray measurements at Argonne National Lab, and detailed first-principles modeling of thermal transport.

The open-access Science Advances paper is linked here.

Image
Phonons in thermoelectric compound Mg3Sb2 -  Jill Hemman

A representation of the crystal lattice of the thermoelectric compound Mg3Sb2 (magnesium atoms in orange, antimony in blue). An electric current is generated as heat traverses the material, propelled by phonon waves. (credit: ORNL/Jill Hemman)

The results were picked up by several websites that wrote scientific highlights, disseminating the work to a general audience:

https://www.aps.anl.gov/APS-Science-Highlight/2021-08-09/buzz-about-thermoelectrics-heats-up-with-promising-new-magnesium

https://sciencebulletin.org/buzz-about-thermoelectrics-heats-up-with-promising-new-magnesium-based-materials/