Bimodal-Structured 0.9KNbO₃-0.1BaTiO₃ Solid Solutions with Highly Enhanced Electrocaloric Effect at Room Temperature

0.9KNbO₃-0.1BaTiO₃ ceramics, with a bimodal grain size distribution and typical tetragonal perovskite structure at room temperature, were prepared by using an induced abnormal grain growth (IAGG) method at a relatively low sintering temperature. In this bimodal grain size distribution structure, the extra-large grains (~10-50 μm) were evolved from the micron-sized filler powders, and the fine grains (~0.05-0.35 μm) were derived from the sol precursor matrix. The 0.9KNbO₃-0.1BaTiO₃ ceramics exhibit relaxor-like behavior with a diffused phase transition near room temperature, as confirmed by the presence of the polar nanodomain regions revealed through high resolution transmission electron microscope analyses. A large room-temperature electrocaloric effect (ECE) was observed, with an adiabatic temperature drop (ΔT) of 1.5 K, an isothermal entropy change (ΔS) of 2.48 J·kg^-1·K^-1, and high ECE strengths of |ΔT/ΔE| = 1.50 × 10^-6 K·m·V^-1 and ΔS/ΔE = 2.48 × 10^-6 J·m·kg^-1·K^-1·V^-1 (directly measured at = 1.0 MV·m^-1). These greatly enhanced ECEs demonstrate that our simple IAGG method is highly appreciated for synthesizing high-performance electrocaloric materials for efficient cooling devices.