Enhanced electrocaloric and energy-storage properties of environment-friendly ferroelectric Ba0.9Sr0.1Ti1-xSnxO3 ceramics

TL;DR

This study investigates the electrocaloric and energy storage properties of eco-friendly Ba0.9Sr0.1Ti1-xSnxO3 ceramics, demonstrating high efficiency and potential for solid-state refrigeration and energy storage applications.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the electrocaloric effect and energy efficiency of Ba0.9Sr0.1Ti1-xSnxO3 ceramics, highlighting their potential for eco-friendly cooling and energy storage.

Findings

Energy efficiency exceeds 80%, reaching 92% in some samples.

Largest electrocaloric responsivity of 0.73 K mm/kV at 368 K.

Significant COP > 26 indicating high performance.

Abstract

The electrocaloric (EC) effect and energy storage properties of eco-friendly ferroelectric Ba0.9Sr0.1Ti1-xSnxO3 (BSTS-x) ceramics prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method were studied. Significant energy efficiency exceeding 80% was found in our samples. In particular, BSTS-5 and BSTS-10 samples exhibit 92% and 88% efficiency, respectively, over a wide temperature range around room temperature (RT). Direct EC measurement and an indirect method based on the thermodynamic approach were used to characterize the EC effect, and both yielded consistent results. The largest electrocaloric responsivity of 0.73 K mm/kV was obtained for BSTS-0 at 368 K with an adiabatic temperature change DT(EC) of 0.55 K at a low applied electric field of only 7.4 kV/cm. With increasing Sn-content, the EC response of BSTS-x ceramics decreases, while their diffuseness increases over an extensive temperature range, centered at RT. A significant coefficient of performance (COP > 26) was found for our samples. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility of designing eco-friendly materials with higher EC effect and energy efficiency for potential solid-state refrigeration and energy storage devices.