Multicaloric effect in a multiferroic composite of Gd-5(Si,Ge)(4) microparticles embedded into a ferroelectric PVDF matrix

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Andrade, VM (Author) Other; Amirov, A (Author) Other; Yusupov, D (Author) Other; Pimentel, B (Author) Other; Barroca, N (Author) Other; Pires, AL (Author) Other; Belo, JH (Author) FCUP; pereira, a. m. (Author) FCUP; Valente, MA (Author) Other; araujo, j. p. (Author) FCUP; Reis, MS (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Scientific Reports

Vol. 9 No. 3413

ISSN: 2045-2322

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 20 Citations

Scopus - 20 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-F6Q

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54635-8

Abstract (EN): The coupling between electric, magnetic and elastic features in multiferroic materials is an emerging field in materials science, with important applications on alternative solid-state cooling technologies, energy harvesting and sensors/actuators. In this direction, we developed a thorough investigation of a multiferroic composite, comprising magnetocaloric/magnetostrictive Gd5Si2.4Ge1.6 microparticles blended into a piezo- and pyroelectric poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF) matrix. Using a simple solvent casting technique, the formation and stabilization of PVDF electroactive phases are improved when the filler content increases from 2 to 12 weight fraction (wt.%). This effect greatly contributes to the magnetoelectric (ME) coupling, with the ME coefficient alpha(ME) increasing from 0.3 V/cm.Oe to 2.2 V/cm.Oe, by increasing the amount of magnetic material. In addition, magnetic measurements revealed that the ME-coupling has influenced the magnetocaloric effect via a contribution from the electroactive polymer and hence leading to a multicaloric effect. These results contribute to the development of multifunctional systems for novel technologies.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10