Enhancement of Energy-Storage Properties and Temperature Stability in Complex Perovskite (1−x)NaNbO3−xBi(Li1/3Sn2/3)O3 Lead-Free Ceramics

Abstract

In general, NaNbO3 (NN) ceramics are considered to be one of the most promising lead-free perovskites (AFE) materials with low cost, low density, and nontoxic advantages. However, the energy storage capability of this material is often greatly hindered by the hysteresis exhibited during the transition from the antiferroelectric to the ferroelectric phase. In this study, lead-free dielectric (1−x)NaNbO3−xBi(Li1/3Sn2/3)O3, x = 0.0 − 0.08, ceramics were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The XRD data show a structural change from orthorhombic to pseudo-cubic at x = 0.06 composition. With increasing Bi(Li1/3Sn2/3)O3 content, changes in dielectric properties demonstrated that the AFE P phase was successively replaced by the relaxor AFE R phase, resulting in a thin P–E loop characteristic which leads to the improvement of the energy storage density and efficiency of the ceramic capacitors. The optimum recoverable energy storage density (W rec = 0.56 J/cm3) and efficiency (η = 74%) were obtained at x = 0.06 under an electric field of 120 kV/cm. The optimum composition also exhibited temperature stability in the range of 25 °C–100 °C. In addition, an increase in Bi(Li1/3Sn2/3)O3 content can lead to a decrease in leakage current density. This research shows that BLS modified NN ceramics are promising dielectric material candidates for energy storage applications.