Large barocaloric effects at low pressures in natural rubber

Author(s)

Usuda, E. O. ; Bom, N. M. ; Carvalho, A. M. G.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL; v. 92, p. 287-293, JUL 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

Barocaloric effect in vulcanized natural rubber (V-NR) has been investigated. Direct measurements of the temperature change (Delta T) around room temperature (283-333 K) resulted in large values, above 10 K, for a pressure change of 173 MPa. A power law was proposed to fit AT as function of the maximum pressure, showing to be suitable for the barocaloric effect in V-NR. Strain was measured as a function of temperature at constant pressures in order to obtain the isothermal entropy change (Delta S-T). At 293 K, we obtained a Delta S-T of 21 J kg(-1) K-1 for a pressure change of only 43.4 MPa. The results presented in this work are compared with those reported recently for PVDF-TrFE-CTFE polymer, showing a better barocaloric performance for V-NR in similar temperature and pressure ranges. These findings evidence the high potential of V-NR for application in solid-state refrigeration based on confined compression, opening new possibilities for i-caloric materials. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/03480-0 - Magnetocaloric effect and barocaloric effect: new experimental techniques, materials and theoretical models
• Grantee: Alexandre Magnus Gomes Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants