Thermoelectric Properties of Topological Insulators

Many efficient thermoelectric materials belong to the class of topological insulators. Therefore, in recent years considerable efforts have been made to elucidate the influence of nontrivial electronic topology on the thermoelectric properties of thermoelectrics. This review describes the basic transport properties of helical surface states of topological insulators. Their effect on the thermoelectric efficiency of materials is discussed. The main attention is paid to (Bi,Sb)2(Te,Se)3 alloys, which combine the properties of the best thermoelectrics and a model topological insulator. In this article, a short introduction into the thermoelectric properties of the helical surface state of topological insulators (TI) is given. The available theoretical and experimental results of the thermoelectric properties of TI are critically analyzed. Topological protection from backscattering by nonmagnetic defects leads to a high mobility of electrons in these states. This opens a potential way to create new efficient thermoelectric materials.