Thermoelectric technology offers a green-viable and carbon-neutral solution for energy problems by directly converting waste heat to electricity. For years, Bi₂Te₃-based compounds have been the main choice materials for commercial thermoelectric devices. However, Bi₂Te₃ comprises scarce and toxic tellurium (Te) elements, which might limit its large-scale application. Recently, Mg₃Sb₂ compounds have drawn increasing attention as an alternative to Bi₂Te₃ thermoelectrics due to their excellent thermoelectric performance. Enabled by effective strategies such as optimizing carrier concentration, introducing point defects, and manipulating carrier scattering mechanisms, Mg₃Sb₂ compounds have realized an improved thermoelectric performance. In this review, optimizing strategies for both Mg₃Sb₂-based thermoelectric materials and devices are discussed. Moreover, the flexibility and plasticity of Bi-alloyed Mg₃Sb₂ mainly stemming from the dense dislocations are outlined. The above strategies summarized here for enhancing Mg₃Sb₂ thermoelectrics are believed to be applicable to many other thermoelectrics.

中文翻译：

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Mg3Sb2 热电材料与器件的研究进展


热电技术通过将废热直接转化为电能，为能源问题提供绿色可行的碳中和解决方案。多年来，Bi₂Te₃ 基化合物一直是商用热电器件的主要选择材料。然而，Bi₂Te₃ 包含稀有且有毒的碲 （Te） 元素，这可能会限制其大规模应用。最近，Mg₃Sb₂ 化合物因其优异的热电性能而作为 Bi₂Te₃ 热电材料的替代品而受到越来越多的关注。通过优化载流子浓度、引入点缺陷和操纵载流子散射机制等有效策略，Mg₃Sb₂ 化合物实现了改进的热电性能。在这篇综述中，讨论了基于 Mg₃Sb₂ 的热电材料和器件的优化策略。此外，概述了主要源于致密位错的双合金 Mg₃Sb₂ 的柔韧性和可塑性。这里总结的上述增强 Mg₃Sb₂ 热电的策略被认为适用于许多其他热电技术。