Enhancement of the Na$_x$CoO$_2$ thermopower due to electronic correlations

Abstract

Using the merger of local density approximation and dynamical mean field theory, we show how electronic correlations increase the thermopower of Na$_{0.7}$CoO$_2$ by 200%. The newly revealed mechanism is an asymmetric shift of (quasi) electrons and holes away from the Fermi level, concurrent with an asymmetry of the respective (group) velocities. Exploiting this effect in bandstructure and correlation engineering may lead to a substantial increase of the thermoelectric figure of merit.