About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advanced Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage 2026
|
| Presentation Title |
Enhanced Electrocaloric Effect in Lead-free Relaxor Ferroelectrics via Point Defect Engineering |
| Author(s) |
Zixuan Wu, Wanting Hu, Krishnarjun Banerjee, Haixue Yan, Man Zhang |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Zixuan Wu |
| Abstract Scope |
The electrocaloric effect enables solid-state refrigeration technology with high energy efficiency and zero global warming potential. Normal displacive ferroelectrics exhibit the highest electrocaloric effect just above their Curie point. The freezing temperature (Tf) of relaxor ferroelectrics functions similarly, while significant hysteresis around Tf often make them unsuitable for practical applications. In this work, we show that the highest electrocaloric effect in lead-free Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-SrTiO3-based relaxor ferroelectrics occurs at temperatures a few degrees above the temperature with their maximum permittivity (Tm) and is far above their Tf. Moreover, A-site vacancy design is used to effectively increase the electrocaloric effect and broaden the working temperature range, due to increased field-induced polarization and strong relaxation achieved via point defect engineering. This work reveals proper temperature window for the high electrocaloric effect in relaxor ferroelectrics and shows that A-site vacancy design can further enhance electrocaloric properties and extend the working temperature range for electrocaloric applications. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Ceramics, Sustainability, Phase Transformations |