Thermoelectric Properties of Halide Perovskite Materials

Halide perovskites, with the general formula ABX₃, have emerged as versatile semiconductors combining low lattice thermal conductivity, tunable electronic properties and solution processability. Their inherently soft lattice and strong anharmonic vibrations suppress phonon transport, yielding ultralow thermal conductivities in the range 0.2–0.5 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹. At the same time, charge carrier mobility and compositional engineering allow modulation of the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity. These competing factors govern the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT), which quantifies conversion efficiency between heat and electricity. Recent advances have centred on understanding phonon dynamics at the atomic level, refining doping strategies to approach optimum carrier concentrations, and developing stable, scalable fabrication methods. The global drive for waste‐heat recovery and on‐chip cooling has positioned halide perovskites as promising candidates for low‐temperature, flexible thermoelectric modules.

Research from Nature Portfolio

One seminal study achieved controlled self‐doping of all‐inorganic tin perovskite films by inducing surface oxidation of Sn²⁺ to Sn⁴⁺. A chlorine‐rich surface layer acted as both charge reservoir and barrier against deeper oxidation, separating dopant defects from the transport channel. This approach boosted electrical conductivity while preserving ultralow thermal conductivity, yielding a ZT of around 0.14 at room temperature. More recently, a universal solid‐state synthesis method employing simultaneous electric and mechanical fields was developed to produce high‐quality halide perovskite powders and bulk crystals. This solvent‐free, rapid route delivered materials with crystallinity approaching that of single crystals, and preliminary demonstrations confirmed their suitability for thermoelectric device integration alongside other optoelectronic applications.

Thermoelectric Properties of Halide Perovskite Materials publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in thermoelectric properties of halide perovskite materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Seebeck coefficient: Voltage generated per unit temperature difference across a material, measured in microvolts per kelvin (µV K⁻¹).

Figure of merit (ZT): Dimensionless efficiency parameter defined as (S²σT)/κ, where S is the Seebeck coefficient, σ the electrical conductivity, T the absolute temperature and κ the thermal conductivity.

Lattice thermal conductivity: Heat transport through phonon (lattice vibration) modes, usually ultralow in halide perovskites due to soft bonding and anharmonic effects.

Phonon‐glass behaviour: Characteristic of materials that scatter phonons strongly like a glass while retaining good electronic conduction, beneficial for thermoelectric performance.

Anharmonicity: Deviation of atomic vibrations from the simple harmonic approximation, leading to strong phonon–phonon interactions and reduced thermal conductivity.

References

1. Halide Perovskites: Thermal Transport and Prospects for Thermoelectricity. Advanced Science (2020).
2. Enhanced control of self-doping in halide perovskites for improved thermoelectric performance. Nature Communications (2019).
3. A universal all-solid synthesis for high throughput production of halide perovskite. Nature Communications (2022).
4. Atomistic Insights into the Origin of High‐Performance Thermoelectric Response in Hybrid Perovskites. Advanced Science (2023).
5. Substitutional doping of hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite crystals for thermoelectrics. Journal of Materials Chemistry A (2020).
6. Vacuum-Deposited Cesium Tin Iodide Thin Films with Tunable Thermoelectric Properties. ACS Applied Energy Materials (2022).