Off-centering thermoelectrics

Thermoelectric (TE) materials that can achieve mutual conversion of electricity and heat has experienced remarkable growth over the past two decades. While many TE materials exhibit high levels of symmetry, characterized by pronounced band degeneracy, which contributes to their superior TE performance, there is a growing interest in materials that deviate from perfect symmetry, displaying off-centering phenomena. Such discordant structures offer intriguing properties and present unique opportunities for enhancing TE functionality. This review begins by providing an overview of key concepts and principles of thermoelectric and a list of outstanding TE materials. Subsequently, the focus shifts towards global off-centering structures and the incorporation of discordant atoms through doping strategies. The effects arising from the presence of off-centering atoms in TE materials are thoroughly explored, encompassing their impact on various aspects of electrical and thermal transport properties. Finally, this review offers a comprehensive summary of the current state of off-centering TE materials, providing valuable insights into their unique characteristics and potential for further advancements.