Thermal-electric energy conversion of ferroelectrics modulated by electric field

Abstract

The process of thermal-electric energy conversion by performing an Olsen cycle on ferroelectrics is derived in theory, according to the derivation of polarization hysteresis loop due to rotation of dipoles. Evolutions of polarization and output energy density during the cycle process are simulated. The results show that converted energy density per cycle and power density increase and flatten out with increasing the high-electric field. And the power increment, which is defined as the difference of power density between two low-electric fields, increases with the decrease of the high-electric field. Considering flattening effect of power density and consuming energy of the fields, the applied electric fields can be modulated to optimal values. These results may be useful for selecting suitable ferroelectric materials and optimal conditions for the pyroelectric energy conversion (PEC) application.