Grain size effect on the electrocaloric effect of dense BaTiO3 nanoceramics

A modified Landau-Devonshire thermodynamic theory is employed to investigate the effect of grain size on the electrocaloric effect of dense BaTiO3 nanoceramics. Theoretical analysis indicates that both the magnitude of the electrocaloric effect and the temperature corresponding to the maximum of electrocaloric effect depend on not only the grain size but also the electric field. Most importantly, BaTiO3 nanoceramics have the giant electrocaloric coefficient and adiabatic temperature change. Moreover, it is worth noting that the decrease of grain size reduces the temperature to a great extent where the electrocaloric effect is maximized. Therefore, control of the grain size may be used to adjust the electrocaloric properties of dense BaTiO3 nanoceramics.