Note: Experimental setup for measuring the barocaloric effect in polymers: Application to natural rubber

Barocaloric materials have shown to be promising alternatives to the conventional vapor-compression refrigeration technologies. Nevertheless, barocaloric effect (σ_b-CE) has not been extensively examined for many classes of materials up to now. Aiming at fulfilling this gap, the present paper describes the development of a high-pressure experimental setup for measuring the σ_b-CE in polymers. The design allows simultaneous measurements of temperature, pressure, and strain during the barocaloric cycle. The system proved to be fully functional through basic experiments using natural rubber. Samples exhibited large temperature variations associated with the σ_b-CE. Strain-temperature curves were also obtained, which could allow indirect measurements of the isothermal entropy change.