Enhanced electrocaloric effect in ferroelectric ceramics via defect dipole engineering

Wenrong Xiao, Yao Wu, Yilong Liu, Bin Yang, Zihao Zheng, Xingjian Zou, Xuetian Gong, Fangyuan Luo, Lulu Liu, Xu Wang, Shenglin Jiang, Junning Li, Kanghua Li, Shi Liu, Jinming Guo (), Wen Dong (), Shujun Zhang () and Guangzu Zhang ()
Additional contact information
Wenrong Xiao: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Yao Wu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Yilong Liu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Bin Yang: Hubei University
Zihao Zheng: Hubei University
Xingjian Zou: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Xuetian Gong: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Fangyuan Luo: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Lulu Liu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Xu Wang: Guizhou University
Shenglin Jiang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Junning Li: Hunan University
Kanghua Li: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Shi Liu: Westlake University
Jinming Guo: Hubei University
Wen Dong: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Shujun Zhang: City University of Hong Kong
Guangzu Zhang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract The increasing demand for higher operating speeds and greater integration densities in electronic devices has made heat dissipation one of the most critical challenges for next-generation technologies. This challenge has driven extensive efforts aimed at achieving a giant electrocaloric effect in ferroelectrics for high-efficiency cooling. Here, we propose a defect dipole engineering strategy to manipulate the polarization behavior of ferroelectric ceramics, leading to superior electrocaloric effect. By incorporating Sm and Li ions, the (SmBȧ-LiBaʹ) defect dipoles enhance the polarizability of BaTiO3. Simultaneously, these dipole defects increase the carrier activation energy, effectively mitigating the inherent trade-off between high breakdown strength and high polarization, thereby allowing the application of a high electric field to fully activate the electrocaloric potential. As a result, defect dipole engineering enables BaTiO3 to achieve a remarkable electrocaloric effect over a wide temperature range, achieving a high temperature change of 2.7 K at 70 °C— typical for integrated circuits.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63963-5

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