Enhanced energy storage performance of (1-x)(BCT-BMT)-xBFO lead-free relaxor ferroelectric ceramics in a broad temperature range

Abstract

Relaxor ferroelectrics with high energy storage performances are very attractive for modern applications in electronic devices and systems. Here, it is demonstrated that large energy densities (0.52–0.58 J/cm3) simultaneously with high efficiencies (76%–82%) and thermal stabilities (the minimum variation of efficiency < 4% from 323 K to 423 K at x = 0.04) have been achieved in the (1-x)(BCT-BMT)-xBFO lead-free relaxor ferroelectric ceramics prepared using a conventional solid-state reaction method. Large dielectric breakdown strengths and great relaxor dispersion around the dielectric peaks are responsible for the excellent energy storage performances. The energy storage performances of as-prepared ceramics at high BFO doping amount (x = 0.06 and 0.07) were deteriorated seriously due to low dielectric breakdown strengths. However, they could be greatly improved when aged, since the operable electric field was significantly enhanced from 10 kV/cm of as-prepared samples to 100 kV/cm of aged samples due to the reduced concentration of oxygen vacancies during the aging process. The excellent energy storage performances may make them attractive materials for applications in modern energy storage systems in a broad temperature range.