LAUSR

Given the strong coupling relationship between the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity, achieving a significant increase in the thermoelectric power factor (PF) remains a formidable challenge. Previous studies have demonstrated that the ErAs:InGaAs system has the potential to leverage the energy filtering (EF) effect to enhance the Seebeck coefficient while maintaining high electron concentrations. Here, we present a method that significantly enhances the thermoelectric PF of InGaAs through the dual effects of quantum confinement and EF effects. Density Functional Theory calculations further demonstrate that the alterations in the ErAs band structure induce the EF effect. The results show that the ErAs quantum dots:In0.53Ga0.47As composite films exhibit high electrical conductivity and high Seebeck coefficient in the intermediate temperature range, resulting in a fivefold increase in the PF at 515 K. Our research presents a prospective approach to leveraging the combined effects for the advancement of high-performance thermoelectric materials.