Misfit strain dependence of electrocaloric effect in epitaxial Pb(Zr1−xTix)O3 thin films

A phenomenological Landau–Devonshire thermodynamic theory is employed to investigate the effect of the misfit strain on the electrocaloric effect of single domain epitaxial Pb(Zr1−xTix)O3 thin films grown on thick cubic substrates. Theoretical analysis indicates that the epitaxial Pb(Zr1−xTix)O3 thin films have the large electrocaloric coefficient at room temperature and the electrocaloric properties largely depend on the misfit strain and the applied electric field. Furthermore, the applied field decreases the electrocaloric coefficient and reduces its misfit strain dependence.