Conclusion
Materials with thermoelectric effects

Thermoelectric materials designed for low temperatures, such as Bi-Sb, are enjoying renewed interest because their transport properties are being reinterpreted in light of the recent concept of topological insulators. However, this fundamental research has not yet resulted in the development of a high-performance p-n junction.

For applications close to room temperature, new materials have emerged in recent years. These include Zn₄Sb₃, Mg₃Sb₂, and Fe₂VAl, for which significant progress has been made. However, Bi₂Te₃ remains, in 2026, the best combination of performance ($ZT\text{~}1$ at 300 K for n-type and p-type), stability, and cost: this is the material actually...