In this work we present a theoretical study of the transport coefficients of n-type PbTe. The electronic transport coefficients are calculated using the isotropic-nearly-free-electron approximation, including the effect of band non-parabolicity on electron-phonon scattering. The lattice thermal transport coefficient is computed by employing the isotropic continuum model for the dispersion relation for acoustic as well as optical phonon branches, an isotropic anharmonic continuum model for crystal anharmonicity, and the single-mode relaxation time scheme.

In this work, we investigate the crystal anharmonic effects in the thermoelectric properties of n-type PbTe. The lattice thermal transport coefficient is computed by employing an isotropic continuum model for the dispersion relation for acoustic as well as optical phonon branches, an isotropic continuum model for crystal anharmonicity, and the single-mode relaxation time scheme.

We present a systematic study of allowed three-phonon scattering processes, involving acoustic and optical branches, and their relative roles in explaining the low thermal conductivity  of IV-chalcogenide thermoelectric materials PbTe, PbSe, PbS, and SnTe.