BiCuSeO based thermoelectric materials: Innovations and challenges

BiCuSeO has high Seebeck coefficient, low lattice thermal conductivity and excellent performance. At the same time, its abundant stock, low price, non-toxic and environmentally friendly raw materials and easy synthesis, makes it a new oxide thermoelectric material with great application prospects. This review firstly discusses and summarizes the preparation, properties including the structure, stability and thermoelectric properties and other basic characteristics of BiCuSeO. And then the performance optimization methods of BiCuSeO at home and abroad such as doping, compositing, texturization, vacancies and synergetic approaches in recent years are emphatically summarized and evaluated. Finally, a discussion of future possible strategies is proposed to aim at further enhancing the thermoelectric properties of similar materials and deepen related researches.