Large Nernst effect in Te-based van der Waals materials

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • M. Behnami - , Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, University of Genoa (Author)
  • M. Gillig - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • A. G. Moghaddam - , Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences, Zanjan, Tampere University (Author)
  • D. V. Efremov - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • G. Shipunov - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • B. R. Piening - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • I. V. Morozov - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • S. Aswartham - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • J. Dufouleur - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • K. Ochkan - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • J. Zemen - , Czech Technical University in Prague (Author)
  • V. Kocsis - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • C. Hess - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, University of Wuppertal (Author)
  • M. Putti - , University of Genoa, National Research Council of Italy (CNR) (Author)
  • B. Büchner - , Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • F. Caglieris - , National Research Council of Italy (CNR) (Author)
  • H. Reichlova - , Institute of Solid State and Materials Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, Czech Academy of Sciences (Author)

Abstract

Layered van der Waals tellurides reveal topologically nontrivial properties that give rise to unconventional magneto-transport phenomena. Additionally, their semimetallic character with high mobility makes them promising candidates for large magneto-thermoelectric effects. Remarkable studies on the very large and unconventional Nernst effect in WTe2 have been reported, raising questions about whether this property is shared across the entire family of van der Waals tellurides. In this study, systematic measurements of the Nernst effect in telluride van der Waals Weyl semimetals are presented. Large linear Nernst coefficients in WTe2 and MoTe2 are identified, and moderate Nernst coefficients with nonlinear behavior in magnetic fields are observed in W0.65Mo0.35Te2, TaIrTe4, and TaRhTe4. Within this sample set, a correlation between the dominant linear-in-magnetic-field component of the Nernst coefficient and mobility is established, aligning with the established Nernst scaling framework, although with a different scaling factor compared with existing literature. This enhancement might be caused by the shared favorable electronic band structure of this family of materials. Conversely, the nonlinear component of the Nernst effect in a magnetic field could not be correlated with mobility. This nonlinear term is almost absent in the binary compounds, suggesting a multiband origin and strong compensation between electron-like and hole-like carriers. This comprehensive study highlights the potential of van der Waals tellurides for thermoelectric conversion.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number023009
JournalPhysical Review Research
Volume7
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas