Thermoelectric materials are one kind of functional materials, which can realize the direct conversion between electrical energy and thermal energy, and have wide applications in the fields of thermoelectric power generation and refrigeration. Graphene is a two-dimensional carbon material of a single atomic layer with special crystal structure and excellent physical and chemical properties. Many research demonstrate that the excellent electrical performance, large surface and various boundary structures of graphene can optimize the electrical and thermal performance of materials, making graphene of great application potentials in the field of thermoelectrics. In this paper, based on the characteristics of thermoelectric materials and graphene, the relationship of structure and performance of graphene when graphene itself is researched as thermoelectric material is reviewed. The effect of graphene on the microstructure and performances of conventional inorganic thermoelectric materials and conducting polymer thermoelectric materials when graphene is used to form nanocomposites with these thermoelectric materials are also summarized. In addition, the exiting problems and further outlook of the applications of graphene in the field of thermoelectric are discussed.
Contents
1 Introduction
2 Structure and property of graphene
3 Thermoelectric performance of graphene itself
4 Application of graphene in other thermoelectrics as composite
4.1 Nanocomposites of graphene and conventional inorganic thermoelectrics
4.2 Nanocomposites of graphene and conductive polymer thermoelectrics
5 Conclusion