Recent advances in thermoelectric performance by incorporating graphene-based materials for energy harvesting

•Thermoelectric generators directly convert waste heat to electricity.•Graphene-based thermoelectric materials are cheap, nontoxic, flexible and scalable.•Excellent optoelectronic properties enable application in thermoelectric generators.•Superior stability enhances the sustainability of thermoelectric generators.•Graphene-based materials pave the way for commercializing thermoelectric generators.