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Multicaloric effect in a multiferroic composite of Gd5(Si,Ge)4 microparticles embedded into a ferroelectric PVDF
V M Andrade1,2, A Amirov3,4, D Yusupov4
1IFIMUP and IN-Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Physics and Astronomy Department of Science Faculty, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
Scientific Reports
|December 5, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed a multiferroic composite of Gadolinium Silicon Germanium microparticles and poly(vinylidene) fluoride. This material shows enhanced magnetoelectric coupling and a multicaloric effect for novel technologies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Multiferroic Materials
Background:
- Multiferroic materials exhibit coupled electric, magnetic, and elastic properties.
- These materials have potential applications in solid-state cooling, energy harvesting, and sensors/actuators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the magnetoelectric (ME) coupling in a composite of magnetocaloric/magnetostrictive Gd[Formula: see text]Si[Formula: see text]Ge[Formula: see text] microparticles and a piezo-/pyroelectric poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF) matrix.
- To explore the resulting multicaloric effect due to ME coupling.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of the multiferroic composite using a solvent casting technique.
- Characterization of PVDF electroactive phase formation and stabilization with varying filler content (2-12 wt.%).
- Measurement of magnetoelectric coefficient and magnetic properties.
Main Results:
- Improved formation and stabilization of PVDF electroactive phases with increasing filler content.
- Significant increase in the magnetoelectric coefficient from 0.3 V/cm.Oe to 2.2 V/cm.Oe with higher magnetic material content.
- Evidence of ME coupling influencing the magnetocaloric effect, leading to a multicaloric effect.
Conclusions:
- The developed composite demonstrates enhanced magnetoelectric coupling.
- The study highlights the contribution of the electroactive polymer to the magnetocaloric effect, resulting in a multicaloric effect.
- These findings support the development of multifunctional systems for advanced technological applications.
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