Tetradymites are M₂X₃ compounds — in which M is a group V metal, usually Bi or Sb, and X is a group VI anion, Te, Se or S — that crystallize in a rhombohedral structure. Bi₂Se₃, Bi₂Te₃ and Sb₂Te₃ are archetypical tetradymites. Other mixtures of M and X elements produce common variants, such as Bi₂Te₂Se. Because tetradymites are based on heavy p-block elements, strong spin-orbit coupling greatly influences their electronic properties, both on the surface and in the bulk. Their surface electronic states are a cornerstone of frontier work on topological insulators. The bulk energy bands are characterized by small energy gaps, high group velocities, small effective masses and band inversion near the centre of the Brillouin zone. These properties are favourable for high-efficiency thermoelectric materials but make it difficult to obtain an electrically insulating bulk, which is a requirement of topological insulators. This Review outlines recent progress made in bulk and thin-film tetradymite materials for the optimization of their properties both as thermoelectrics and as topological insulators.

四叠氮化物是M ₂ X ₃化合物，其中M是V型金属，通常是Bi或Sb，X是VI型阴离子，Te，Se或S，它们在菱形结构中结晶。Bi ₂ Se ₃，Bi ₂ Te ₃和Sb ₂ Te ₃是原型四线体。M和X元素的其他混合物会产生常见的变体，例如Bi ₂ Te ₂ Se。因为四dyymites是基于重p块状元素，强烈的自旋轨道耦合极大地影响了它们在表面和整体上的电子性能。它们的表面电子状态是拓扑绝缘体前沿研究的基石。整体能带的特征是能隙小，群速度高，有效质量小以及在布里渊区中心附近的能带反转。这些性质对于高效热电材料是有利的，但是使得难以获得电绝缘体，这是拓扑绝缘体的要求。这篇综述概述了块状和薄膜状的四水铝石材料在优化其作为热电材料和拓扑绝缘体的性能方面的最新进展。