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Issue
Vol. 36 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Science and Technology – Engineering and Technology for Sustainable Development (3/2026 In press)
Section
Research article
How to Cite
Dang , T. H., Vu, B.-H., Dang, T. H. H., Nguyen, T.-G., Dinh, V.-H., & Le, V. L. (2026). Room-Temperature Electrocaloric Enhancement in Barium Titanate Thin Films by Zirconium Doping. Engineering and Technology For Sustainable Development, 36(1), 024-031. https://jst.vn/index.php/etsd/article/view/1281

Room-Temperature Electrocaloric Enhancement in Barium Titanate Thin Films by Zirconium Doping

Thi Ha Dang 1,2, Ba-Hieu Vu1, Thi Hong Hue Dang1, Trong-Giang Nguyen1, Van-Hai Dinh1, Van Lich Le1,
1 School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Ha Noi, Vietnam
2 Vietnam National University of Forestry, Ha Noi, Viet Nam

Main Article Content

Abstract

The electrocaloric effect in ferroelectric materials has gained significant interest for the development of solid-state cooling devices. However, achieving a high electrocaloric effect near room temperature is still challenging. In the study, we employ a phase-field simulation approach to investigate the impact of zirconium (Zr) doping on the electrocaloric behavior of barium titanate zirconate, BaZrxTi1-xO3 (0% ≤ x ≤ 20%) ferroelectric thin films. Our results reveal that Zr doping significantly modifies the domain structures and phase transition dynamics, thereby enhancing the electrocaloric performance, particularly near room temperature. Isothermal entropy and adiabatic temperature variations are enhanced with increasing Zr doping content in BaZrxTi1-xO3 thin films. The highest electrocaloric effect is observed in the BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 thin film, at near room temperature, corresponding to the transition from ferroelectric to paraelectric phase. Moreover, the BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3 thin film also indicates a large entropy change at a low electric field and thus a large electrocaloric strength, which is beneficial for practical cooling at low voltages. These findings highlight the potential of Zr-doped BaTiO3 thin films as promising candidates for energy-efficient solid-state cooling applications operating near room temperature.

Keywords

Ferroelectric thin films, electrocaloric effect, phase transition, phase field model.

Article Details

References

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