Nanofiller orientation-enhanced electrocaloric effect: A case study of P(VDF-TrFE-CFE)/Ba_0.67Sr_0.33TiO₃ composites

The exceptional breakdown field strength of polymers, combined with the large spontaneous polarization exhibited by inorganic ferroelectric materials, has led to continuous advancements in the records for the giant electrocaloric effect (ECE) in polymer composites enhanced by ferroelectric inorganic components. This study aims to investigate the ECE properties of P(VDF-TrFE-CFE)/Ba_0.67Sr_0.33TiO₃ (BST67) composites by analyzing the aspect ratio, composition ratio, and orientation of BST67 nanoparticles in conjunction with the P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) matrix. The results of the P–E loop calculations indicate that all three factors related to the BST67 nanoparticles enhance the ferroelectric polarization value of the composite material. This enhancement is attributed to the longer aspect ratio, higher composition ratio, and improved orientation, which enable the BST67 nanoparticles to achieve a greater electric field strength. The calculation of ΔT using the LGD method reveals that these three factors of BST67 can independently increase ΔT, and they exhibit a synergistic effect on the ECE performance of the ferroelectric polymer. Our conclusions provide valuable insights for future research on ECE in polymer/inorganic ferroelectric composites.