Density functional theory of the Seebeck coefficient in the Coulomb blockade regime

The Seebeck coefficient plays a fundamental role in identifying the efficiency of a thermoelectric device. Its theoretical evaluation for atomistic models is routinely based on density functional theory calculations combined with the Landauer-Büttiker approach to quantum transport. This combination, however, suffers from serious drawbacks for devices in the Coulomb blockade regime. We show how to cure the theory through a simple correction in terms of the temperature derivative of the exchange correlation potential. Our results compare well with both rate equations and experimental findings on carbon nanotubes.