Advances in MgAgSb thermoelectrics: from materials to devices

Thermoelectric materials have attracted considerable attention due to their significant potential in waste heat recovery and solid-state cooling, which are critical for emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, 5G communications, and thermal management of advanced electronics. In the field of low-temperature thermoelectric materials and devices, MgAgSb-based devices have emerged as a promising alternative to commercial Bi₂Te₃-based devices, owing to their superior performance near room temperature, abundant elemental availability, and environmental compatibility. Over the past decade, substantial progress has been achieved in elucidating and optimizing the thermoelectric properties of MgAgSb and its devices. This review presents a comprehensive summary of recent developments in the intrinsic properties, synthesis process refinements, and performance optimization strategies of MgAgSb, as well as interface engineering, geometric optimization, and stability enhancement in MgAgSb-based devices, while critically addressing current challenges and prospective pathways toward the practical implementation of MgAgSb-based thermoelectrics.