Calculated transport properties of CdO: Thermal conductivity and thermoelectric power factor

We present first-principles calculations of the thermal and electronic transport properties of the oxide semiconductor CdO. In particular, we find from theory that the accepted thermal conductivity k value of 0.7 Wm(-1) K-1 is approximately one order of magnitude too small; our calculations of k of CdO are in good agreement with recent measurements. We also find that alloying of MgO with CdO is an effective means to reduce the lattice contribution to k, despite MgO having a much larger thermal conductivity. We further consider the electronic structure of CdO in relation to thermoelectric performance, finding that large thermoelectric power factors may occur if the material can be heavily doped p type. This work develops insight into the nature of thermal and electronic transport in an important oxide semiconductor.