Dielectric and Improved Energy-Storage Properties in A-Site Nd3+ Doped Lead-Free 0.88NaNbO3-0.12Sr0.7Bi0.2TiO3 Ceramics

Abstract

Sodium niobate (NaNbO3)-based antiferroelectric (AFE) ceramics have received significant attention for energy storage applications because of their good performance, low cost, and nontoxicity. However, the existence of the antiferroelectric P phase at room temperature causes large hysteresis, resulting in reduced energy storage efficiency. In this study, 0.88NaNbO3–0.12Sr0.7Bi0.2TiO3 ceramics doped with Nd3+ (i.e., 0.88Na1-3 x Nd x NbO3-0.12Sr0.7Bi0.2TiO3) at x = 0.0 − 0.025 were prepared via conventional solid-state mixed oxide route. The XRD data showed that all samples exhibited an orthorhombic structure. With increasing Nd3+ doping content, the antiferroelectric P (Pbma) phase to R (Pnma) phase transition temperature (T P-R) shifted to lower temperatures. Consistent with the dielectric properties, a transition to a relaxor-like slim P-E loop indicative of an AFE R phase was observed at the composition x ≥ 0.01. This led to an increase in both the recoverable energy-storage density (W rec) and efficiency (η) with an increasing amount of Nd3+ doping level. The maximum recoverable energy storage density (W rec = 0.54 J/cm3) and high energy storage efficiency (η = 93%) were observed at x = 0.025 under an applied electric field of 100 kV/cm. In addition, the optimum composition at x = 0.025 also exhibited excellent temperature stability from 25 °C to 150 °C. This research demonstrates that the NN–SBT–xNd system has the potential for use for high-energy-density pulsed power capacitor applications.