Elastocaloric and barocaloric effects in polyvinylidene di-fluoride-based polymers

Polyvinylidene di-fluoride-based polymers were investigated for elastocaloric and barocaloric effects. Bulk samples were subjected to uniaxial tensile and hydrostatic loading. Resulting strain profile (function of temperature) was used to predict the temperature change. A peak elastocaloric effect of 1.8K was observed at 298K (15 MPa). Alternately, a large barocaloric effect of similar to 6K was observed at 300K (200 MPa). This was further improved to an astounding similar to 19K near 368K (200 MPa). The results of this study are expected to greatly benefit the field of ferroelectric solid-state refrigeration and open another horizon for future exploration of multicaloric effects in ferroelectric polymers. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.