Significantly enhanced electrocaloric effect by composition modulation in lead-free BaTiO3-based ceramics

Yingzhi Meng; Silin Tang; Zhaojie Wang; Xiang Niu; Hongfang Zhang; Dingyuan Wang; Yisong Bai; Biaolin Peng; Sheng-Guo Lu; Qingqing Ke; Laijun Liu

Journal of Materiomics (May 2025)

Significantly enhanced electrocaloric effect by composition modulation in lead-free BaTiO3-based ceramics

Yingzhi Meng,
Silin Tang,
Zhaojie Wang,
Xiang Niu,
Hongfang Zhang,
Dingyuan Wang,
Yisong Bai,
Biaolin Peng,
Sheng-Guo Lu,
Qingqing Ke,
Laijun Liu

Affiliations

Yingzhi Meng: Guangxi Key Lab of Optical and Electronic Functional Materials and Devices, Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploration of Nonferrous Metal Deposits and Efficient Utilization of Resources, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China
Silin Tang: School of Microelectronics Science and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, Guangdong, China
Zhaojie Wang: Guangxi Key Lab of Optical and Electronic Functional Materials and Devices, Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploration of Nonferrous Metal Deposits and Efficient Utilization of Resources, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, 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
Hongfang Zhang: Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, Jiangsu, China; School of Physical Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Electrode Materials for Novel Solar Cells for Petroleum and Chemical Industry of China, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, Jiangsu, China; Corresponding author.
Dingyuan Wang: Qingdao Haier Smart Technology R&D Co., Ltd, Qingdao, 266100, Shandong, China
Yisong Bai: Qingdao Haier Smart Technology R&D Co., Ltd, Qingdao, 266100, Shandong, China
Biaolin Peng: School of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Xidian University Xi'an, 710071, China
Sheng-Guo Lu: Guangdong Provincial Research Center on Smart Materials and Energy Conversion Devices, School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Corresponding author. Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, Jiangsu, China.
Qingqing Ke: School of Microelectronics Science and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, Guangdong, China; Corresponding author.
Laijun Liu: Guangxi Key Lab of Optical and Electronic Functional Materials and Devices, Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploration of Nonferrous Metal Deposits and Efficient Utilization of Resources, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Special Steel and New Materials, Guangxi Beigang New Materials Co., Ltd. Beihai, 536000, China; Corresponding author. Guangxi Key Lab of Optical and Electronic Functional Materials and Devices, Collaborative Innovation Center for Exploration of Nonferrous Metal Deposits and Efficient Utilization of Resources, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11, no. 3
p. 100903

Abstract

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The electrocaloric effect (ECE) offers a pathway to environmentally sustainable and easily miniaturized refrigeration technology, positioning it as a front-runner for the next generation of solid-state cooling solutions. This research unveils a remarkable ECE in a finely tuned (Ba0.86Ca0.14)0.98La0.02Ti0.92Sn0.08O3 ceramic, exhibiting a temperature shift (ΔT) of 1.6 K across more than 85% of the maximum ΔT (ΔTmax) and spanning an exceptionally wide operational range of 92 K. Our investigation on dielectric responses and ferroelectric polarization-electric field (P–E) loops suggests that the broad operational scope results from the fragmentation of extended ferroelectric domains into smaller domains and polar nano-regions (PNRs) supported by PFM analysis. Furthermore, the introduction of La enhances spontaneous polarization by significantly extending the maximum electric field that can be applied, facilitating high-performance ECE at ambient temperature. This study positions BaTiO3-based lead-free ceramic as a sustainable alternative for addressing the cooling demands of modern electronic components, marking a significant stride toward next-generation solid-state refrigeration.

Published in Journal of Materiomics

ISSN: 2352-8478 (Print); 2352-8486 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-materiomics

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