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Thermoelectric materials are crucial in renewable energy conversion technologies to solve the global energy crisis. They have been proven to be suitable for high-end technological applications such as missiles and spacecraft. The thermoelectric performance of devices depends primarily on the type of materials used and their properties such as their Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and thermal stability. Classic inorganic materials have become important due to their enhanced thermoelectric responses compared with organic materials. In this review, we focus on the physical and chemical properties of various thermoelectric materials. Newly emerging materials such as carbon nanomaterials, electronically conducting polymers, and their nanocomposites are also briefly discussed. Strategies for improving the thermoelectric performance of materials are proposed, along with an …