Giant electrocaloric effect in asymmetric ferroelectric tunnel junctions at room temperature

Room-temperature electrocaloric properties of Pt/BaTiO3/SrRuO3 ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) are studied by using a multiscale thermodynamic model. It is found that there is a divergence in the adiabatic temperature change Delta T for the two opposite polarization orientations. This difference under a typical writing voltage of 3 V can reach over 1 K as the barrier thickness decreases. Thanks to the ultrahigh external stimulus, a giant electrocaloric effect (1.53 K/V) with Delta T being over 4.5 K can be achieved at room temperature, which demonstrates the perspective of FTJs as a promising solid-state refrigeration. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.