Effect of Mn/Nb heterovalent substitution on the electrocaloric response and energy storage performance of Ba(Sn, Ti)O3 relaxor-ferroelectrics

Abstract

Electrocaloric (EC) refrigeration, is accepted as an auspicious method to develop eco-friendly cooling devices. Here, the investigations on the EC response and energy storage performance of heterovalent-doped Ba(Sn, Ti)O3 relaxor ferroelectrics are carried out. Doping of aliovalent Mn or Nb elements into Ti site would regulate both the EC and energy storage behaviors. An enhanced EC temperature change up to 1.31 K, and a maximal recoverable energy storage density of 0.24 J cm−\u20093 with the efficiency as high as 87.11\u2009%, can be observed under 70 kV cm−\u20091 in 0.5\u2009% acceptor-doped Ba(Sn, Ti)O3 ceramics. It is found that the local internal stress, the local charge fluctuation, and the oxygen deficiencies would benefit the electrical behaviors of this system. These results would shed light on the effect of the heterovalent substitution on the electrical properties of lead-free BaTiO3 system and provide a novel and simple route to further improve the EC response and energy storage performance.