Electrocaloric effect in P(VDF-TrFE)/ barium zirconium titanate composites

The electrocaloric effect in P(VDF-TrFE)/ barium zirconium titanate composites was studied by the direct method using a quasi-adiabatic ECE calorimeter. Barium zirconium titanate was synthesised using a hydrothermal method. Analytical results of the prepared material indicate the formation of phase pure particles with particle sizes between 100-200 nm. The polymer composite films with different filler content were prepared using the solution-casting method. The Curie transition temperature of barium zirconium titanate and P(VDF-TrFE) is in the range of 360-380 K. We observe an enhancement of the dielectric constant and the electrocaloric value in this temperature range due to the superposition of the polarization changes in the polymer and the filler.