Caloric effects of quantum materials: An outlook

Abstract

Solid-state cooling is an emerging technology embracing cryogenic and near room temperature devices. For further developments of this machinery, prototypes and caloric materials must be optimized in order to obtain a better final result than the well-known competitors based on gas compression technology. Thus, researches on materials and prototype optimization have been intensively carried out; and the present mini-review will focus on materials, specifically on quantum materials. We comprehensively describe their ability to produce heat, such as the magneto- and barocaloric effects on graphene, as well as the enhanced caloric properties of graphene-based nanocomposite. Quantum dots and frustrated magnets are also reviewed, linked with their potential to produce heat under an external perturbation, such as magnetic field (magnetocaloric effect) or mechanical pressure (barocaloric effect). This work shows that quantum materials are special materials, with advanced and emerging features that can be explored for application in devices for solid-state cooling.