Simultaneously achieved large electrocaloric effect and broad working temperature range in transparent Sm-doped 0.88 Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.12PbTiO3 ceramics at low electric field

• Published in: Ceramics international 2024-06, Vol.50 (11), p.19237-19244
• Main Authors: Sun, Haochen, Meng, Yingzhi, Han, Feifei, Tang, Silin, Lei, Xiuyun, Ke, Qingqing, Wang, Dingyuan, Bai, Yisong, Peng, Biaolin, Chen, Xue, Niu, Xiang, Lu, Shengguo, Liu, Laijun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Broad working temperature range; Electrocaloric effect; Large adiabatic temperature; PMN-PT; Synergistic strategy
• ISSN: 0272-8842
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.03.023

Electrocaloric refrigeration technology has garnered significant attention due to its potential for next-generation solid-state cooling, which is miniaturized and efficient. However, achieving a substantial electrocaloric effect (ECE) and a wide working temperature range at low electric fields remains a challenge. In this study, a synergistic approach combining domain and defect engineering was used in transparent 0.88 Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.12PbTiO3-xSm(0.88PMN-0.12 PT-xSm) ceramics to improve ECE and temperature stability. Finally, a notable adiabatic temperature change (ΔT) of 2.07 K in the x = 0.01 ceramic, with ΔT exceeding 1.0 K across a broad temperature range from 30 to 180 °C was achieved. Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the presence of small domains and appropriate oxygen vacancies as contributors to the enhanced ECE and broad operation temperature range. This work introduces a promising candidate material for electrocaloric refrigeration.