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 1.8 K was observed at 298 K (15 MPa). Alternately, a large barocaloric effect of ∼6 K was observed at 300 K (200 MPa). This was further improved to an astounding ∼19 K near 368 K (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.