All-temperature barocaloric effects at pressure-induced phase transitions
Abstract Caloric effects, which underpin one solution to solid-state refrigeration technologies, usually occur in the vicinity of solid-state phase transitions with a limited refrigeration temperature span. Here, we introduce and realize an unprecedented concept ‒ all-temperature barocaloric effect,...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63068-z |
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| Summary: | Abstract Caloric effects, which underpin one solution to solid-state refrigeration technologies, usually occur in the vicinity of solid-state phase transitions with a limited refrigeration temperature span. Here, we introduce and realize an unprecedented concept ‒ all-temperature barocaloric effect, i.e., a remarkable barocaloric effect in KPF6 across an exceptionally wide temperature span, from 77.5 to 300 K and potentially down to 4 K, covering typical room temperature, liquid nitrogen, liquid hydrogen, and liquid helium refrigeration regions. The directly measured barocaloric adiabatic temperature change reaches 12 K at room temperature and 2.5 K at 77.5 K upon the release of a 250 MPa pressure. This effect is attributed to a persistent phase transition to a rhombohedral high-pressure phase, as evidenced by pressure-dependent neutron powder diffraction, Raman scattering analyses, and first-principles calculations. We depict the thermodynamic energy landscape to account for the structural instability. This unique all-temperature barocaloric effect presents a novel approach to highly applicable solid-state refrigeration technology, transcending the conventional multi-stage scenario. |
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| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |