Multistage phase transition induced excellent capacitive energy storage performances in (Pb,La,Sr)(Zr,Sn)O3 antiferroelectric ceramics

Abstract

The applications of dielectric capacitors are essential for modern pulsed-power and high-power electronic devices. Antiferroelectric ceramics have garnered much attention as promising materials for capacitive energy storage on account of their ultrahigh recoverable energy density (Wrec). However, the relatively high energy loss originating from electric field induced antiferroelectric-ferroelectric (AFE-FE) phase transition results in low energy storage efficiency (η). Herein, the La3+ ions incorporated (Pb0.98Sr0.02)(Zr0.85Sn0.15)O3 antiferroelectric ceramics were explored to obtain stable antiferroelectric phase and trigger a unique multistage AFE-FE(Ⅰ)-FE(Ⅱ) phase transition simultaneously. Consequently, this strategy led to the achievement of an ultrahigh Wrec of 13.9 J/cm3 and an enhanced η of 80.4% in the optimal composition. Notably, these ceramics have also demonstrated exceptional thermal reliability of Wrec and η in a wide temperature range, outperforming other previously reported PbZrO3-based ceramics. These results offer an efficient approach to promote the capacitive energy storage behavior in antiferroelectric ceramics.