Novel Fluorite‐Structured Materials for Solid‐State Refrigeration

Abstract

Refrigeration based on the electrocaloric effect can offer many advantages over conventional cooling technologies in terms of efficiency, size, weight, and power source. The discovery of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric properties in fluorite‐based materials in 2011 has led to diverse applications related to memory (e.g., ferroelectric tunnel junctions, nonvolatile memory, and field‐effect transistors) and energy fields (e.g., energy storage and harvesting, electrocaloric refrigeration, and infrared detection). Fluorite‐based materials exhibit several properties not shared by most conventional materials (such as in terms of compatibility with complementary metal‐oxide semiconductors and 3D nanostructures, deposition thickness at the nanometer scale, and simple composition). Here, the electrocaloric refrigeration properties of fluorite‐based ferroelectric/antiferroelectric materials are reviewed by focusing on the advantages of ZrO2‐ and HfO2‐based materials (e.g., relative to conventional perovskite‐ and polymer‐based counterparts). Finally, the recent progress made in this research field are also discussed along with its future perspectives.

Lead-Free NaNbO3-Based Ceramics for Electrostatic Energy Storage Capacitors

“…Furthermore, AFE materials are gaining attention for emerging applications in ultrafast neuromorphic computing [62], tunnel junctions [63], hybrid charge trap memories [64], ferroelectric random-access memories [65], and solid-state ferroic refrigerators [66]. The distinctive AFE properties in HfO 2 -based materials are attributed to field-induced transitions between the polar orthorhombic phase (Pca2 1 ) [67] and the nonpolar tetragonal phase (P4 2 /nmc), differing from the antiparallel dipole configuration found in materials like PbZrO 3 and NaNbO 3 [68].…”

Switching Dynamics and Energy Storage Properties of Fluorite‐Structured Materials

“…[9,14,15] HfO 2 -based FE materials are suitable for memory devices (transistors, capacitors, and tunnel junctions), logic devices (neuromorphic computing and negative capacitance (NC) field-effect transistors (FET)), sensors and energy conversion devices (infrared sensors, solid-state coolers, and pyroelectric energy harvesters), and microwave applications (phase shifters, filters, and phased antenna arrays). [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] In contrast, HfO 2 AFE materials…”

“…HfO 2 ‐based FE materials are suitable for memory devices (transistors, capacitors, and tunnel junctions), logic devices (neuromorphic computing and negative capacitance (NC) field‐effect transistors (FET)), sensors and energy conversion devices (infrared sensors, solid‐state coolers, and pyroelectric energy harvesters), and microwave applications (phase shifters, filters, and phased antenna arrays). [ 16–28 ] In contrast, HfO 2 AFE materials can be employed in energy‐related applications. [ 19,20 ] The most important application of HfO 2 ‐based AFE material is energy storage capacitors for pulse power technology.…”

“…[ 16–28 ] In contrast, HfO 2 AFE materials can be employed in energy‐related applications. [ 19,20 ] The most important application of HfO 2 ‐based AFE material is energy storage capacitors for pulse power technology. Pulse power technology can be used in several applications, such as nuclear technique, electron beam, discharge technology, laser technology, and accelerators, through a large number of electric charges released in a short time.…”

Enhanced Electrocaloric Effect of Lead Scandium Tantalate by Zirconium Doping

“…However, traditional compression refrigeration technology utilizes hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases, which have a global warming potential (GWP) greater than 1000. This GWP is 3 orders of magnitude higher than that of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), leading to significant environmental damage. − To address these environmental concerns, several new solid-state refrigeration technologies have emerged as environmentally friendly alternatives, including thermoelectric effect (TE), − magnetocaloric effect (MCE), − electrocaloric effect (ECE), − elastocaloric effect (eCE), and barocaloric effect (BCE) . These innovative approaches offer promising solutions for sustainable and energy-efficient refrigeration.…”