Transport Properties of Superlattice Nanowires and Their Potential for Thermoelectric Applications

A theoretical model for the electronic structure and transport properties of superlattice (SL) nanowires is presented, based on the electronic tunneling between quantum dots. Due to the periodic potential perturbation, SL nanowires exhibit unusual features in the electronic density of states that are absent in homogeneous nanowires. Transport property calculations of PbSe/PbS SL nanowires are presented, showing improved thermoelectric performance compared to homogeneous nanowires because of a lower lattice thermal conductivity and an enhanced Seebeck coefficient, indicating that SL nanowires are promising systems for thermoelectric applications.