Magneli oxides as promising n-type thermoelectrics

The discovery of a large thermopower in cobalt oxides in 1997 lead to a surge of interest in oxides for thermoelectric application. Whereas conversion efficiencies of p-type oxides can compete with non-oxide materials, n-type oxides show significantly lower thermoelectric performances. In this context so-called Magneli oxides have recently gained attention as promising n-type thermoelectrics. A combination of crystallographic shear and intrinsic disorder lead to relatively low thermal conductivities and metallic-like electrical conductivities in Magneli oxides. Current peak-zT values of 0.3 around 1100 K for titanium and tungsten Magneli oxides are encouraging for future research. Here, we put Magneli oxides into context of n-type oxide thermoelectrics and give a perspective where future research can bring us.