Correlation between multi-factor phase diagrams and complex electrocaloric behaviors in PNZST antiferroelectric ceramic system

Ferroelectric (FE) phase transition with a large polarization change benefits to generate electrocaloric (EC) effect for solid-sate and zero-carbon cooling application. However, most EC studies only focus on the single-physical factor associated transition. Herein, we initiated comprehensive discussion in Pb0.99Nb0.02[(Zr0.6Sn0.4)1−xTix]0.98O3 (PNZST100x) antiferroelectric (AFE) ceramic system under joint action of multi-physical factors, including composition, temperature, electric field. Due low energy barrier enhanced zero-field entropy, multi-phase coexistence point (x = 0.12) composition–temperature diagram yields positive peak maximum temperature (ΔTmax) 2.44 K (at 40 kV/cm). Moreover, field–temperature diagrams four representative ceramics provide more explicit guidance evolution behavior. Besides peaks near various temperatures, giant effects are also brought out by field-induced from tetragonal AFE (AFET) low-temperature rhombohedral FE (FER), which is reflected positive-slope boundary diagram, while significant negative responses generated AFET high-temperature multi-cell cubic paraelectric (PEMCC) negative-slope boundary. This work emphasizes importance covering factors high-performance material design.