Issue 40, 2011

Phonon engineering through crystal chemistry

Abstract

Mitigation of the global energy crisis requires tailoring the thermal conductivity of materials. Low thermal conductivity is critical in a broad range of energy conversion technologies, including thermoelectrics and thermal barrier coatings. Here, we review the chemical trends and explore the origins of low thermal conductivity in crystalline materials. A unifying feature in the latest materials is the incorporation of structural complexity to decrease the phonon velocity and increase scattering. With this understanding, strategies for combining these mechanisms can be formulated for designing new materials with exceptionally low thermal conductivity.

Graphical abstract: Phonon engineering through crystal chemistry

Supplementary files

Additions and corrections

Article information

Article type
Highlight
Submitted
21 Apr 2011
Accepted
15 Jun 2011
First published
02 Sep 2011

J. Mater. Chem., 2011,21, 15843-15852

Phonon engineering through crystal chemistry

E. S. Toberer, A. Zevalkink and G. J. Snyder, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 15843 DOI: 10.1039/C1JM11754H

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