Barocaloric Properties of Thermoplastic Elastomers

Solid-state refrigeration represents a promising alternative to vapor compression systems which are inefficient, unreliable, and have high global warming potential. However, several solid-state cooling technologies—including those relying on temperature change induced by an applied electric field (electrocaloric effect), magnetic (magnetocaloric uniaxial stress (elastocaloric effect)—have been investigated, but their efficiency scalability remain concern. Materials with large barocaloric response—temperature/entropy hydrostatic pressure—hold significant promise for comparatively less explored. These materials need be inexpensive, compressible, show response around the of interest. Soft potential meet these requirements enable development low-cost high-efficiency heat pumps. Here, we investigate performance commercially available block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers. We characterized mechanical, thermal, properties evaluated refrigeration. utilized rheometric measurements evaluate isothermal compressibility normalized refrigerant capacity In addition, directly measured pressure-induced test compared them capacity. The was in 0.1–0.4 GPa −1 range, while varied between 13.2 41.9 kJ K 100 MPa pressure 65°C span. corresponding 434.1 2.2 28°C. results demonstrated superior elastomers next generation devices.