Axis-dependent conduction polarity and transverse thermoelectric conversion in the mixed-dimensional semimetal MoSi2
摘要
Transverse thermoelectric devices have the potential to overcome the low efficiency and complex manufacturing processes associated with conventional longitudinal thermoelectric generators. Here, we investigate the thermoelectric transport of molybdenum disilicide MoSi2 and find that MoSi2 is an ideal transverse thermoelectric material without a magnetic field. Experimental and first-principles studies confirm that MoSi2 exhibits axis-dependent conduction polarity (ADCP) in both the Seebeck and Hall coefficients. Electronic band structure calculations and the following Peltier conductivity calculations show that the mixed-dimensional Fermi surfaces play a crucial role in the emergence of ADCP. A comparison of the band structures of MoSi2 and the substituted counterpart, WSi2, suggests that differences in the d-orbital bandwidth contribute to the transport properties. Furthermore, direct measurement of transverse thermopower demonstrates a significant transverse thermoelectric effect when a temperature gradient is tilted to the crystal axis, yielding a transverse thermopower comparable to that of anomalous Nernst materials. These findings establish MoSi2 as a promising candidate for transverse thermoelectric applications.