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Research paper | Open Access

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

Yingzhi Menga, Silin Tangb, Zhaojie Wanga, Xiang Niuc, Hongfang Zhangd,e(), Dingyuan Wangf, Yisong Baif, Biaolin Pengg, Sheng-Guo Luc(), Qingqing Keb(), Laijun Liua,h()
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
School of Microelectronics Science and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, Guangdong, China
Guangdong Provincial Research Center on Smart Materials and Energy Conversion Devices, School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
School of Physical Science and Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, Jiangsu, China
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
State Key Laboratory of Digital Household Appliances, Qingdao Haier Smart Technology R&D Co., Ltd. Qingdao 266103, Shandong, China
School of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Xidian University Xi'an, 710071, China
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Special Steel and New Materials, Guangxi Beigang New Materials Co., Ltd. Beihai, 536000, China

Peer review under responsibility of The Chinese Ceramic Society.

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Abstract

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.

Keywords

Electrocaloric effectLead-freeLattice defectsBaTiO3

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Journal of Materiomics
Volume 11 Issue 3,
May 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmat.2024.05.011
Cite this article:
Meng Y, Tang S, Wang Z, et al. Significantly enhanced electrocaloric effect by composition modulation in lead-free BaTiO3-based ceramics. Journal of Materiomics, 2025, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmat.2024.05.011
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