Electrocaloric cooling based on relaxor ferroelectrics

Abstract

In this work, we consider the electrocaloric effect in relaxor ferroelectrics above the temperature of the dielectric constant maximum. For the purpose of modelling, a modified Curie--Weiss law was adapted to approximate the complex physics of relaxors. The requirements to electrocaloric materials derived on this basis are fulfilled by relaxor single crystals, ceramics and high-quality thin films. Relaxor ferroelectrics exhibit a suitable electrocaloric performance starting at applied electric fields of about 25 V/μm.

Keywords:

• relaxor ferroelectrics
• electrocaloric effect
• dielectric permittivity

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in the priority program Ferroic Cooling [SPP1599, project B6].