Effect of the synthesis method and particle size on BCZT electrocaloric properties

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2024.112512

In this study, the electrocaloric properties of BCZT ceramics fabricated through different processing methods: solid-state and sol-gel were investigated. The calcination process was done for BCZT powders obtained by sol-gel process at 900 °C for 2 h and by solid-state calcination method at 1200 °C for 6 h. BCZT-SG ceramics exhibited higher ΔT values, particularly at lower temperatures (∼0 °C–20 °C), and a stronger response to the electric field, suggesting a more efficient domain structure due to sol-gel processing. Notably, BCZT-SGH samples demonstrated the most complex and pronounced electrocaloric behavior, with dual ΔT peaks around 0 °C and 50 °C, and the highest ΔT of 2.5 K at 80 kV/cm and 50 °C, surpassing values in the literature. Especially, high ΔT results at 0 °C allows using this material in the extreme conditions. These results emphasize the significant role of processing techniques in tailoring the structural, dielectric, and electrocaloric properties of BCZT ceramics for high-performance energy applications.