Giant electrocaloric effect in the thin film relaxor ferroelectric 0.9PbMg1∕3Nb2∕3O3–0.1PbTiO3 near room temperature

Abstract

The authors have recently observed a giant electrocaloric effect (12K in 25V) in 350nm sol-gel PbZr0.95Ti0.05O3 films near the ferroelectric Curie temperature of 242°C. Here the authors demonstrate a giant electrocaloric effect (5K in 25V) in 260nm sol-gel films of the relaxor ferroelectric 0.9PbMg1∕3Nb2∕3O3–0.1PbTiO3 near the Curie temperature of 60°C. This reduction in operating temperature widens the potential for applications in cooling systems.