Elastocaloric effect in ferroelectric ceramics

Abstract

Elastocaloric effect has been experimentally demonstrated in bulk (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3 polycrystalline ferroelectric material. Predictions were made using Maxwell's relationship for elastocaloric effect. A maximum elastocaloric effect of 1.55 K was observed for an initial material temperature of 340 K and applied compressive stress of 0–250 MPa (under a constant electric field of 2 MV m−1). The reported value is several times larger than the peak electrocaloric effect for the same material. The results indicate that ferroelectric materials possess a huge potential for elastocaloric refrigeration.