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We report here a theoretical model for the transport properties of cylindrical Bi nanowires. Based on the band structure of Bi nanowires and the semiclassical transport model, the thermoelectric figure of merit Z₁₃T is calculated for Bi nanowires with various wire diameters and wire orientations. The results show the trigonal axis is the most favorable wire orientation for thermoelectric applications, and Z₁₃T>1 is predicted for n-type trigonal wires with diameters dₖ<10 nm. The effect of the T-point holes on Z₁₃T is also investigated. It is found that Z₁₃T can be significantly enhanced, especially for p-type Bi nanowires, if the T-point holes are removed or suppressed.
Lin et al. (Tue,) studied this question.