Raman characterization on two-dimensional materials-based thermoelectricity

The emergence and development of two-dimensional (2D) materials has provided a new direction for enhancing the thermoelectric (TE) performance due to their unique structural, physical and chemical properties. However, the TE performance measurement of 2D materials is a long-standing challenge owing to the experimental difficulties of precise control in samples and high demand in apparatus. Until now, there is no universal methodology for measuring the dimensionless TE figure of merit (ZT) (the core parameter for evaluating TE performance) of 2D materials systematically in experiments. Raman spectroscopy, with its rapid and nondestructive properties for probing samples, is undoubtedly a powerful tool for characterizing 2D materials as it is known as a spectroscopic 'Swiss-Army Knife'. Raman spectroscopy can be employed to measure the thermal conductivity of 2D materials and expected to be a systematic method in evaluating TE performance, boosting the development of thermoelectricity. In this review, thermoelectricity, 2D materials, and Raman techniques, as well as thermal conductivity measurements of 2D materials by Raman spectroscopy are introduced. The prospects of obtaining ZT and testing the TE performance of 2D materials by Raman spectroscopy in the future are also discussed.