The electrocaloric effect was investigated in lead-free Zr doped Ba_0.8Ca_0.2(Zr_xTi_1−x)O₃ (BCTZ) ceramics synthesized by a conventional sintering process. Room-temperature x-ray diffraction analysis showed that the tetragonal structure is obtained in BCTZ for x $\le$ 0.08 and a pseudo cubic phase for x > 0.08. The dielectric spectroscopy and calorimetry revealed that the Curie temperature decreases as a consequence of Zr doping and that the BCTZ exhibits a first order ferroelectric phase transition. The electrocaloric effect was determined by the calculation of the electrocaloric change of temperature (ΔT) using the Maxwell relation based on the P–E hysteresis loops measured at different temperatures. A large electrocaloric responsivity ΔT/ΔE = 0.34 × 10⁻⁶Km/V was found for x = 0.04, which significantly exceeds of values found so far in other lead-free electrocaloric materials.

The results of structural studies of pure-phase perovskite thin films of ${\text{BiFeO}}_3–10\%R{\text{MnO}}_3$ ($R=\text{La}$ , Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy) are presented. Raman scattering studies show line broadening similar to what is reported for $R{\text{MnO}}_3$ ; they were attributed to Jahn–Teller distortion and orthorhombic structural change. Evidence of an anomaly of the orthorhombic distortion at ${\text{GdMnO}}_3$ could be obtained. Interestingly the addition of ${\text{GdMnO}}_3$ leads to a substantial increase in magnetization, combined with moderate ferroelectric polarization. All other compositions are characterized by higher ferroelectric polarization but almost no magnetization.