### Session D11: Thermal Properties in Semiconductors and Nanostructures

2:30 PM–4:42 PM, Monday, March 21, 2011
Room: D222

Chair: Hongping Zhao, Lehigh University

Abstract ID: BAPS.2011.MAR.D11.1

### Abstract: D11.00001 : Thermoelectric Properties of Granular Materials

2:30 PM–2:42 PM

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#### Authors:

Andreas Glatz
(Argonne National Laboratory)

Igor Beloborodov
(California State University, Northridge)

I will present our recent studies of thermoelectric properties of mono-phasic nanocrystalline semiconductors and metals in the weak coupling regime. The focus is in particular on the thermopower and figure of merit for temperatures less than the charging energy. I will show that the dimensionless figure of merit $ZT$, which is a measure for the performance of thermoelectric materials, has a maximum at certain temperatures and grain sizes which can be in the range of technological relevant values $ZT>3$. The talk is based on: Phys. Rev. B {\bf 80}, 245440 (2009) and EuroPhys. Lett. {\bf 87}, 57009 (2009).

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2011.MAR.D11.1