Antiferroelectric to Ferroelectric Crossover and Energy Storage Properties of (Pb1−xLax)(Zr0.90Ti0.10)1−x/4O3 (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.04) Ceramics

Abstract

Polarization switching behavior and energy storage performances of (Pb1−xLax)(Zr0.90Ti0.10)1−x/4O3 (PLZT x/90/10) ceramics with La compositions across the ferroelectric/antiferroelectric phase boundary, which show variable amount of antiferroelectric (AFE) orthorhombic and ferroelectric (FE) rhombohedral phases, were investigated. A low AFE to FE switching field was obtained and its value could be adjusted by La chemical modification. While the PLZT system evolves from a FE state to an AFE state as a function of La content and from an AFE state to a FE state as a function of the applied electric field, the recoverable energy (Wre) and loss energy (Wloss) range between two limits whose lower and higher values are obtained for PLZT composition in AFE state and FE state, respectively. In terms of the extent of La‐modification, the Wre has been enhanced from 0.819 J/cm3 (for PLZT 2/90/10 and electric field of ~30 kV/cm) to the highest value of 1.85 J/cm3 (for PLZT 3.5/90/10 and electric field ~65 kV/cm), followed by their subsequent reduction.