Thermoelectric Transport in Kagome Lattices with Kondo Impurities

Understanding thermoelectric transport in strongly correlated electron systems is essential for developing high-efficiency energy conversion materials. At low temperatures, the Kondo effect leads to the formation of the Abrikosov-Suhl resonance, a sharp peak in the electronic density of states near the Fermi level, which plays a central role in boosting the Seebeck coefficient, a key parameter for thermoelectric performance. In this study, we employ the Single Impurity Anderson Model (SIAM), solved using the highly accurate Numerical Renormalization Group (NRG) method, to investigate thermoelectric transport properties in a novel setup: a magnetic impurity coupled to a kagome lattice system. The kagome lattice, known for its flat bands and magnetic frustration, enhances electronic interactions and offers a fertile ground for optimizing electrical conductivity. We further introduce uniaxial strain as an external tuning mechanism to modulate the electronic energy levels and improve thermoelectric response. Our findings show that the interplay between kagome geometry, asymmetric impurity level positioning, and applied strain leads to significant enhancements in the figure of merit (ZT). In conclusion, by calculating the Seebeck coefficient, electrical and thermal conductivities, power factor, and figure of merit, this study offers a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding thermoelectric transport in correlated Kondo systems. The insights gained from our NRG simulations aim to guide experimental efforts in designing and tuning high-performance thermoelectric materials.