Unveiling a giant electrocaloric effect at low electric fields through continuous phase transition design

Yunyao Huang; Leiyang Zhang; Pingji Ge; Ruiyi Jing; Wenjing Shi; Chao Li; Xiang Niu; Vladimir Shur; Haibo Zhang; Shengguo Lu; Yintang Yang; Dawei Wang; Xiaoqin Ke; Li Jin

Advanced Powder Materials (Oct 2024)

Unveiling a giant electrocaloric effect at low electric fields through continuous phase transition design

Yunyao Huang,
Leiyang Zhang,
Pingji Ge,
Ruiyi Jing,
Wenjing Shi,
Chao Li,
Xiang Niu,
Vladimir Shur,
Haibo Zhang,
Shengguo Lu,
Yintang Yang,
Dawei Wang,
Xiaoqin Ke,
Li Jin

Affiliations

Yunyao Huang: Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China
Leiyang Zhang: Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China
Pingji Ge: School of Physics, MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China
Ruiyi Jing: Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China
Wenjing Shi: Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China
Chao Li: Instrument Analysis Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 10049, China
Xiang Niu: Guangdong Provincial Research Center on Smart Materials and Energy Conversion Devices, School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
Vladimir Shur: School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 20000, Russia
Haibo Zhang: School of Materials Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
Shengguo Lu: Guangdong Provincial Research Center on Smart Materials and Energy Conversion Devices, School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
Yintang Yang: School of Microelectronics, Xidian University, Xi’an, 710071, China
Dawei Wang: Functional Materials and Acousto-Optic Instruments Institute, School of Instrumentation Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, China
Xiaoqin Ke: School of Physics, MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China; Corresponding author.
Li Jin: Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 3, no. 5
p. 100225

Abstract

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The reported electrocaloric (EC) effect in ferroelectrics is poised for application in the next generation of solid-state refrigeration technology, exhibiting substantial developmental potential. This study introduces a novel and efficient EC effect strategy in (1–x)Pb(Lu1/2Nb1/2)O3-xPbTiO3 (PLN-xPT) ceramics for low electric-field-driven devices. Phase-field simulations provide fundamental insights into thermally induced continuous phase transitions, guiding subsequent experimental investigations. A comprehensive composition/temperature-driven phase evolution diagram is constructed, elucidating the sequential transformation from ferroelectric (FE) to antiferroelectric (AFE) and finally to paraelectric (PE) phases for x=0.10−0.18 components. Direct measurements of EC performance highlight x=0.16 as an outstanding performer, exhibiting remarkable properties, including an adiabatic temperature change (ΔT) of 3.03 K, EC strength (ΔT/ΔE) of 0.08 K cm kV−1, and a temperature span (Tspan) of 31 °C. The superior EC effect performance is attributed to the temperature-induced FE to AFE transition at low electric fields and diffusion phase transition behavior contributing to the wide Tspan. This work provides valuable insights into developing high-performance EC effect across broad temperature ranges through the strategic design of continuous phase transitions, offering a simplified and economical approach for advancing ecofriendly and efficient solid-state cooling technologies.

Published in Advanced Powder Materials

ISSN: 2772-834X (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co. Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Mining engineering. Metallurgy
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/advanced-powder-materials/

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