Multilayer 0.9Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.1PbTiO3 elements for electrocaloric cooling

Electrocaloric (EC) cooling elements in the form of multilayers (MLs) were prepared. The elements consist of five layers of the relaxor-ferroelectric 0.9Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.1PbTiO3, about 60 μm thick, with internal platinum electrodes and exhibiting a dense, uniform microstructure with a grain size of 1.7 μm. The largest temperature change ΔTEC of 2.26 K was achieved at an electric field (E) of 100 kV cm−1 and at 105 °C, measured by a high-resolution calorimeter. These results agree well with the indirect measurements. The EC coefficient, ΔTEC/ΔE, obtained for the MLs, is similar to the value obtained for bulk ceramics of the same composition. The ΔTEC values above 2 K over a broad temperature range from 75 to 105 °C make the ML elements suitable candidates for EC cooling devices at significantly lower voltages than bulk ceramic plates with comparable dimensions and mass.