Excellent energy storage performance achieved in novel PbHfO3-based antiferroelectric ceramics via grain size engineering

Abstract

• All ceramics were prepared by rolling process. • A very high W rec of 12.2 J cm −3 and efficiency of 92% can be achieved in the Pb 0.98 La 0.02 (Hf 0.65 Sn 0.35 ) 0.995 O 3 ceramic. • The Pb 0.98 La 0.02 (Hf 0.65 Sn 0.35 ) 0.995 O 3 ceramic exhibits thermal stability over a wide temperature range. • The Pb 0.98 La 0.02 (Hf 0.65 Sn 0.35 ) 0.995 O 3 ceramic displays a high W D of 5.3 J cm −3 and a discharge speed of 103 ns. • The energy storage performance of AFEs can be improved by the approach of grain size engineering. Incremental attention has been paid to the PbHfO 3 -based antiferroelectric ceramics for its giant potential in dielectric capacitors and pulsed power techniques. Here, ultrahigh energy storage properties (W rec = 12.2 J cm −3 , η = 92%) and satisfied charge–discharge property (W D = 5.3 J cm −3 , t 0.9 = 103 ns, P D = 245 MW cm −3 ) are achieved in the Pb 0.98 La 0.02 (Hf 0.65 Sn 0.35 ) 0.995 O 3 antiferroelectric ceramics. In addition, the studied ceramics also exhibited superior thermal stability within 20–120 °C (W rec > 8 J cm −3 , with minimal variation < 0.5 %). Outstanding energy storage properties can be explained by refined grain size, disrupted local structure, which is confirmed by ceramic morphology, Raman spectrum and polarization hysteresis. All these features greatly promote the application of PbHfO 3 -based ceramics in energy storage fields.