Sintering aids modified electrocaloric response in BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 bilayer films

The tunable electrocaloric effect (ECE) is reported in BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 homogeneous bilayer thick films through a minor modification during fabrication process. Two types of sintering aids, LiBiO2 and the mixture of PbO and B2O3, were used to lower the sintering temperature, improving the sintering condition. Compared with the mixture of PbO and B2O3, the LiBiO2 is demonstrated to be more effective in inducing ECE enhancement in the BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 bilayer thick films, where a large electrocaloric temperature change of −3.9 K under 10 MV m−1 around room temperature can be observed. The result reveals the potential of fine tuning additives in improving the electrocaloric effect, providing an effective and affordable route to realize large ECE under low electric fields.