A Review of MnSi₁.₇: Synthesis, Properties, and Emerging
Being a non-stoichiometric silicon-metal compound, MnSi₁.₇ has generated significant research interest on account of its promising thermoelectric properties, structural stability, and compatibility with silicon-based technologies. Being a complex tetragonal structure and semimetallic in nature, MnSi₁.₇ provides the ideal medium of moderate electrical conductivity-high Seebeck coefficient-low intrinsic thermal conductivity. This review deals with the current understanding of MnSi₁.₇ with respect to the crystal structure, synthesis methods, and basic physical properties. Strategies of doping, nanostructuring, and making composites are discussed for improving its thermoelectric performance. Challenges in phase control and efficiency enhancement are presented along with the review; future avenues on device integration and energy-harvesting applications are pinpointed.