Welcome to visit The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering, Today is

The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (4): 333-343.DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225191

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Optimization strategies for thermal transport properties in p-type Mg3Sb2-based thermoelectric materials: a review

Di ZHANG1,  Jiawei ZHA1,  Zhiyuan LIU1,2*   

  1. 1. Advanced Ceramics Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan, Anhui 243002, China 2. Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center (Anhui Energy Laboratory), Hefei, Anhui 230031, China
  • Received:2025-07-18 Revised:2025-09-19 Online:2026-04-28 Published:2026-04-28

p型Mg3Sb2基热电材料的热输运性能优化策略

张娣1, 查佳伟1, 刘志愿1,2*   

  1. 1. 安徽工业大学材料科学与工程学院,先进陶瓷研究中心,安徽 马鞍山 243002 2. 合肥综合性国家科学中心能源研究院(安徽省能源实验室),安徽 合肥 230031
  • 通讯作者: 刘志愿 zhiyuanliu826@ahut.edu.cn
  • 基金资助:
    安徽省自然科学基金优秀青年项目;安徽省高校协同创新项目;材料复合新技术全国重点实验室(武汉理工大学)开放基金

Abstract: Mg3Sb2-based materials, featuring a unique layered crystal structure, exhibit a favorable combination of low thermal conductivity, high Seebeck coefficient, and decent carrier mobility, establishing them among the most promising mid-temperature thermoelectric systems under active investigation. However, p-type Mg3Sb2 derivatives demonstrate a comparatively lower thermoelectric figure of merit (zT) compared to their n-type counterparts. Enhancing the zT performance of p-type Mg3Sb2 is therefore essential for the development of high-efficiency thermoelectric devices based on this material system. This review systematically summarizes the critical factors governing the thermal transport properties of p-type Mg3Sb2, including intrinsic characteristics such as chemical bonding and crystal structure, as well as extrinsic parameters such as carrier concentration, mobility, point defects, microstructure, and temperature dependence effects. Furthermore, it highlights recent advances in strategies designed to optimize thermal conductivity (κ) and improve zT, mainly including point defect engineering (such as Mg-site doping, Sb-site doping, dual-site co-doping, as well as doping-assisted composite modification), low-dimensional and nanostructural design, and advanced preparation technologies. Experimental studies demonstrate that these targeted strategies, particularly the synergistic introduction of multi-scale defects, can effectively suppress phonon propagation and significantly reduce lattice thermal conductivity (κL). Consequently, substantial improvements in the overall zT of p-type Mg3Sb2-based materials have been realized, providing a robust scientific and technical foundation for accelerating the practical application of Mg3Sb2-based thermoelectric devices.

Key words: p-type Mg3Sb2-based thermoelectric materials, thermal conductivity, lattice thermal conductivity, thermoelectric properties

摘要: Mg3Sb2基材料因其独特的层状晶体结构,具备低热导率和高塞贝克系数及载流子迁移率,是目前发展前景较好的中温热电材料之一。然而,与n型Mg3Sb2基热电材料相比,p型Mg3Sb2基材料热电优值(zT)较低。因此提升p型Mg3Sb2基材料的zT值对于开发Mg3Sb2基高效热电器件具有重要意义。本工作讨论了影响热输运性能的相关因素,总结了近年来通过点缺陷工程、结构纳米或低维化、筛选先进制备工艺等策略优化p型Mg3Sb2基材料热输运性能的研究进展。通过这些调控策略可显著提升p型Mg3Sb2基材料的热电性能,为热电器件的应用提供科学和技术支撑。

关键词: p型Mg3Sb2基热电材料, 热导率, 晶格热导率, 热电性能