Electric-field-induced phase transition and electrocaloric effect in PMN-PT

Wu, H. H. and Cohen, R. E. (2017): Electric-field-induced phase transition and electrocaloric effect in PMN-PT. In: Physical Review B, Vol. 96, No. 5, 54116

Abstract

Ferroelectric perovskite oxides possess a large electrocaloric (EC) effect, but usually at high temperatures near the ferroelectric/paraelectric phase transition temperature, which limits their potential application as next generation solid-state cooling devices. We use classical molecular dynamics to study the electric-field-induced phase transitions and EC effect in PMN-PT (PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3-PbTiO3). We find that the maximum EC strength of PMN-PT occurs within the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) region at 300 K. The large adiabatic temperature change is caused by easy rotation of polarization within the MPB region.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Geosciences > Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Subjects: 500 Science > 550 Earth sciences and geology
• ISSN: 2469-9950
• Language: English