Abstract
The development of lead-free ferroelectric materials is highly desired for next-generation energy storage and superior electrocaloric effect (ECE) applications. However, one of the significant challenges in lead-free dielectric materials is to obtain enhanced ECE and energy storage density at lower applied electric fields, needed for realization of sustainable and efficient energy solutions. Herein, the sol-gel elaborated lead-free Ba0.95Ca0.05Sn0.09Ti0.91O3 ceramics have been synthesized and sintered at temperatures 1100 and 1200 ˚C. The sample sintered at 1200 ˚C exhibits low field assisted improved ∆T ∼ 0.42 K and ∆S ∼ 0.52 J/kg/K values and are closely associated with presence of MPB and relaxor characteristics. The enhanced recoverable energy density (Wrec) and total energy density (Wtot) are also obtained as 79 mJ/cm3 and 87 mJ/cm3 for the same sample sintered at 1200 ˚C with excellent conversion efficiency of 91 % under a very low applied electric field of 30 kV/cm. The results demonstrate that the optimization of sintering temperature significantly affects the MPB evolution, microstructure and emergence of relaxor characteristics owing to vibrant polar-nano regions that result in enhanced ECE and energy storage characteristics. The present work would be beneficial for advancement of lead-free ferroelectric materials as an efficient electrocaloric cooling and sustainable green energy solutions.
Published Version
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