Temperature dependence of elastocaloric effect in natural rubber

TL;DR

This study investigates the temperature-dependent elastocaloric effect in natural rubber, revealing a broad temperature range and potential for near-room-temperature cooling applications, supported by experimental and theoretical analysis.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive analysis of the temperature dependence of elastocaloric effects in natural rubber, linking crystallization behaviors to cooling performance.

Findings

Maximum {}T of 12 K at 10C and strain of 6.

Elastocaloric behavior predicted by crystallization models.

Natural rubber shows potential for near-room-temperature cooling.

Abstract

The temperature dependence of the elastocaloric (eC) effect in natural rubber (NR) is studied adiabatically and isothermally. A broad temperature span for eC effect from 0 oC to 49 oC is observed. The maximum adiabatic temperature change ({\Delta}T) is 12 K at strain of 6 and occurs at 10 oC. These behaviors can be predicted by the temperature dependence of strain-induced crystallization (SIC) and temperature-induced crystallization (TIC). In isothermal condition, the deduced {\Delta}T from Clausius-Clapeyron factor can agree with the direct measurement at different temperatures. The eC performance of NR is compared with shape memory alloys (SMAs). The potential of NR for a near room temperature cooing application is primarily proved. This will open the SIC research of NR towards eC cooling direction.