A temperature-dependent polarization switching study
reveals a
normal ferroelectric P–E loop
to an antiferroelectric double hysteresis loop in the vicinity of
depolarization temperature (400 K, T
d),
which is believed to show a strong electrocaloric effect (ECE) and
electrical energy-storage density (W
rec) in (Na0.8K0.2)0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NKBT) ceramic when measured by an indirect method.
Structural analysis using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and
transmission electron microscopy studies confirmed the coexistence
of tetragonal (P4mm) and rhombohedral
(R3c) phases. A temperature-dependent
dielectric study has revealed a frequency dispersion around 400 K,
which hints at the presence of a frustrated interaction resulting
in the slowing down of polar domain dynamics below a diffuse phase
transition. The high value of ECE in the lead-free NKBT ceramic is
also investigated by a direct method, confirming the multifunctional
nature of NKBT and its usefulness for applications in refrigeration
and energy storage. A direct method of electrocaloric (EC) measurement
in NKBT ceramic exhibits an adiabatic temperature change (ΔT) ∼ 1.10 K and an EC strength (ξ) ∼
0.55 Kmm/kV near T
d at an externally applied
field of 20 kV/cm, which is consistent with the literature. The recoverable
energy (W
rec) ∼ 0.78 J/cm3 and electrical storage efficiency (η) ∼ 86% are also
observed near T
d when an applied field
of 20 kV/cm is switched at 1 Hz. This behavior is ascribed to the
delicate balance between the field-induced normal ferroelectric–antiferroelectric
transition and the thermal energy needed to disrupt the frustrated
interaction.